BATTING MASTERCLASS: Brilliant Bavuma pulls Proteas back into series against Aussies with career-best Test score

Temba Bavuma delivered a career-best Test score of 179 against Australia in Gqeberha, leading South Africa back into the series. Batting for nearly nine hours, Bavuma scored his fifth Test century and formed strong partnerships with Marco Jansen and Simon Harmer, helping South Africa post over 400 runs. His innings shifted the momentum of the match, giving the Proteas a realistic chance to win despite being at 12 for two early in the innings. Bavuma's performance earned praise from both teammates and opponents, highlighting his leadership and skill. Kagiso Rabada took a crucial wicket late in the day, further boosting South Africa's prospects.

Temba Bavuma scored a career-best 179 to steer South Africa toward a potential victory in the second Test against Australia at St George’s Park in Gqeberha. The Proteas captain’s monumental innings, which lasted nine hours and 12 minutes, shifted the momentum of the match and gave his team a realistic chance to level the series with two days remaining. Bavuma faced 334 balls during his stay at the crease, compiling 18 fours and one six. His total marked the highest score by a South African captain against Australia. The innings began under difficult conditions on day one when South Africa were reeling at 12 for two. Bavuma arrived at the bat shortly after facing a hat-trick attempt from Australian seamer Scott Boland. Boland finished the innings with figures of five for 81. Despite the early pressure, Bavuma anchored the recovery, sharing partnerships of 132 runs with Marco Jansen for the seventh wicket and 183 runs with Simon Harmer for the eighth. His century, his fifth in Test cricket, arrived off 223 balls, including 11 boundaries. He reached the milestone with a pull shot through midwicket off Australian captain Pat Cummins. Bavuma continued to build his score after reaching 100, adding another 76 runs to push South Africa past 400. His dismissal finally came via a faint edge off the left-arm pace of Mitchell Starc, with Alex Carey taking the catch. The crowd offered a standing ovation, and Australian players exchanged fist bumps with him. Cummins remained wicketless in 26 overs, while Josh Hazlewood bowled only 14 overs due to illness on day two. Supporting Bavuma, Marco Jansen contributed significantly after Wiaan Mulder fell for 13 off 38 balls. Starc dismissed Mulder with a fast bouncer, claiming his 450th Test wicket. Although South Africa resumed day three on 97 for five, they added 328 runs for the loss of four wickets by the end of the session. At the close of play, returning fast bowler Kagiso Rabada dismissed Australian opener Nic Maddinson. Rabada probed outside the left-hander's off-stump, inducing an edge that was caught at third slip by Harmer. Bad light ended proceedings with Australia at three for one. In related news, South Africa fast bowler Anrich Nortje has been ruled out of the decisive third Test at Newlands. The Cricket South Africa announced that Nortje suffered a mild groin injury and would not feature in the final match. The governing body decided against calling up a replacement for the remainder of the series. With South Africa holding a strong position in the current Test, the focus now shifts to the upcoming fixture in Cape Town, where the series outcome will be determined.

3 reports

Daily MaverickIndependentCenterFactual 98Objective 95Oct 21

BATTING MASTERCLASS: Brilliant Bavuma pulls Proteas back into series against Aussies with career-best Test score

Bias read (Center): The article focuses solely on a cricket match between South Africa and Australia, discussing player performances, scores, and match dynamics. There is no mention of political figures, policies, or contentious issues. The content is purely sports-related and does not exhibit any ideological framing.

Why factuality (98): The article provides highly detailed and accurate information about Bavuma's innings, including the score (179), number of balls faced (334), strike rate, and partnership figures. It also includes specific contextual details about the match conditions and the reaction from Australian players.

Why objectivity (95): The article is exceptionally balanced in its presentation, focusing on factual reporting without injecting personal opinion. It uses descriptive language to highlight Bavuma's performance but maintains a neutral stance overall.

IOL (Independent Online)Party-alignedCenterOct 24

Anrich Nortje ruled out of Proteas’ decisive third Test against Australia with groin injury

South African fast bowler Anrich Nortje has been ruled out of the decisive third Test match against Australia at Newlands due to a mild groin injury. The Cricket South Africa (CSA) administration has decided not to call up a replacement player for the remainder of the series. This development impacts the Proteas' lineup for the final game of the current tour.

Bias read (Center): The article reports on a standard sports injury update regarding a cricket match. There are no political implications, controversial policy angles, or ideological framings present in the text. It is purely factual sports news.

News24IndependentCenterOct 24

Proteas star Nortje ruled out of Newlands Test decider with ‘mild’ injury

The provided text consists solely of a headline stating that South African cricket player Kagiso Rabada, referred to here by his surname Nortje, has been ruled out of the final Test match at Newlands due to a mild injury. No further details regarding the nature of the injury, the specific opponent, or the broader context of the series are included in the supplied excerpt.

Bias read (Center): The subject matter is a sports injury update, which is apolitical. The text provides no framing, opinion, or political context, making any lean assessment irrelevant.

How each side covered it

The same event, grouped by the political lean of the outlets covering it.

How each side covered it

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.

Become a Supporter

Covered around the world

The same event as reported in other countries.

Covered around the world

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.

Become a Supporter

Claims check

Key factual claims, and how many sources assert vs dispute each.

Claims check

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.

Become a Supporter

Keep the news honest.

ObjectiveNews is reader-funded and ad-free — we show you the bias instead of hiding it. Support independent journalism for €4/month.

Become a Supporter

BATTING MASTERCLASS: Brilliant Bavuma pulls Proteas back into series against Aussies with career-best Test score

3 reports

How each side covered it

progressive

center

conservative

How each side covered it

Covered around the world

Covered around the world

Claims check

Claims check

Keep the news honest.

Related stories

HANGING IN: Belligerent Proteas on back foot, but stay in the fight against Aussies

Smith will be 'fine' as Australia returns to Cape Town

Bavuma’s sensational 179 anchors South Africa’s Day 3 fightback

Newlands' adopted son Ryan Rickelon ready for his new Proteas role in crucial third Test

India vs New Zealand 1st T20I Playing 11: Samson-Abhishek to open, Bhuvneshwar set for return

MotoGp, Gp Australia 2026 times: the races at dawn and the time change. Where to watch qualifying, Sprint and race on TV and streaming (Sky, Now and TV8)