Mitchell Starc takes 6-72 as South Africa make 329 on Day 1

Mitchell Starc took six wickets for 72 in 16.3 overs as South Africa were bowled out for 329 on the first day of the third Test against Australia at Newlands, Cape Town. The hosts had been well placed after an opening stand of 158 between Aiden Markram and Marques Ackerman.

Australia pulled the innings back after tea. Starc took the last four wickets for two runs in six deliveries with the second new ball.

How the innings turned

Markram made 75 before hooking Josh Hazlewood to backward square leg, where Starc held the catch. Ackerman fell five runs short of a maiden Test century, and captain Temba Bavuma was bowled by Lyon for a two-ball duck.

South Africa had moved from 203/1 to 220/4 by tea. After the break Starc removed David Bedingham (50) and Wiaan Mulder (0) in the same over, leaving the hosts at 232/6.

Marco Jansen and Ryan Rickelton then put on a 95-run partnership, taking South Africa to 327/6 in 80.3 overs. The last four wickets, all to Starc, fell for two runs, which ended the innings at 329.

Series context

The Test is part of the Australia tour of South Africa, 2026. Australia won a Test by 214 runs on 9 October, scoring 390 and 314/6 against South Africa’s 284 and 206. South Africa won another Test by an innings and 31 runs on 18 October, after bowling Australia out for 99 in their first innings; Australia made 295 in their second.

The two sides also met in three ODIs on this tour. South Africa won on 24 September by 67 runs and on 27 September by 32 runs, while Australia won on 30 September by 45 runs (DLS method, due to rain).

What’s next

South Africa’s next fixtures are against England, starting on Thursday, 17 December 2026 at 1:30 PM IST. Australia’s next fixture is the first match of a white-ball series against England on Friday, 13 November 2026 at 9:00 AM IST.