It was a day Australian cricket fans will want to forget. On Day 4 of the 2nd Test at St George’s Park, Gqeberha, Australia were bowled out for 99 in 42.3 overs — and South Africa captain Temba Bavuma rubbed salt in the wound by enforcing the follow-on, with Australia trailing by 326 runs.
The destroyer was Marco Jansen, who struck with his first ball of the day and finished with five wickets. Steve Smith top-scored with 28 while playing through an apparent neck injury, before being bowled by Wiaan Mulder.
The numbers are brutal. It was the 40th time in Test history Australia have been all out below 100 — and only the third follow-on they have faced since the 1980s. The irony cuts deep: South Africa were themselves 5 for 97 at one stage, before Bavuma’s career-best 179 turned the match on its head.
Australia had won the first Test by 214 runs last week and lead the series 1-0 — but they have not won a Test at Gqeberha since 1997. Former Protea bowler Vernon Philander called the batting “pretty gutless” on radio, while Simon Katich said the current players are now “batting for their careers.”
From series leaders to a 99 all out in seven days: the second innings — with the follow-on enforced — will decide whether this becomes one of the great Test comebacks or one of Australia’s most humiliating defeats. Read the World Series 2026 preview and LeBron’s 76ers debut.
Bhudev Bhagaliya is an experienced and senior journalist who has carved a distinct niche for himself in the world of Hindi journalism through his profound understanding and precise writing style. With over two decades of experience in the field of journalism, he has held key responsibilities at Dainik Hindustan for 12 years and at Amar Ujala for one year. Currently, he serves as the Content Editor for the Jagrook Youth News newspaper and portal, where he plays a crucial role in ensuring the quality and credibility of the news content. Bhudev Bhagaliya consistently writes about issues that help raise awareness within society and among the younger generation.