Third Test between Proteas and Australia: Five Key Moments of Day One in Newlands

The history of confrontations between the Proteas and Australia at Newlands Stadium is rich with dramatic events, outstanding individual achievements, and several unforgettable turning points. IOL Sport presents an overview of five such bright moments worth revisiting before the decisive series match on Tuesday.

The first significant moment occurred in January 1970 when South Africa managed to defeat Australia for the first time at Newlands. Previously, Australia had won the first six matches between these two teams at this venue, but the subsequent breakthrough by South Africa changed this series. Eddie Barlow scored 127 runs in the first innings, allowing the hosts to secure their first victory over Australia on this ground.

The second instance, in March 2002, was marked by Ricky Ponting's brilliant finish in Shane Warne's 100th match. After losing the previous match at Wanderers, where the Proteas conceded a record 360 runs, the team managed to recover. Thanks to the efforts of Andrew Hall, Paul Adams, and Neil McKenzie, the Proteas showed fight throughout the summer of 2001/2002. However, this proved insufficient as Australia succeeded in chasing down 331 runs on a tense final day. Ponting completed his century without being dismissed, scoring 100 runs, and sealed the victory by hitting a six off Adams.

Shane Warne, playing in his 100th match, also played a key role by taking eight wickets, which helped Australia conclude the series.

The third memorable episode took place in March 2009 when the Proteas managed to score a huge number of runs. Despite the series already being lost, the hosts displayed fighting spirit, accumulating a massive 651 runs. Contributors included AB de Villiers with 163 runs, Ashley Prince with 150 runs, and Jacques Kallis with an incomplete 102 runs. Prince's innings was particularly significant as this aggressive batsman was moved to open batting alongside debutant Imran Khan. Prince publicly expressed dissatisfaction with this change, especially after an argument during a home match against some Proteas teammates. The victory was secured by left-arm spinner Paul Harris, who took six wickets in Australia's second innings, ensuring a dominant win. This innings remains one of the greatest displays of Proteas cricket at Newlands.

In November 2011, Philander inspired the team to an incredible comeback. Australian captain Michael Clarke delivered one of the best innings witnessed by the Newlands crowd, scoring a masterful 151 runs. The value of this achievement increased when South Africa was bowled out for only 96 runs, giving the visitors a comfortable first-innings lead of 188 runs. However, a crazy day then unfolded, forever etched into the legends of the historic ground. Proteas debutant Vernon Philander destroyed the visitors, taking 5 wickets for 15 runs, after which Australia was dismissed for just 47 runs. This initiated one of the most memorable comebacks by the Proteas, as the hosts easily chased down 236 runs.

The last noted moment occurred in March 2018 when South Africa achieved a convincing victory over Australia in the third match. Morne Morkel took 5 wickets for 23 runs in the final innings when the visitors collapsed, scoring only 107 runs while chasing 430. Nevertheless, the match gained notorious fame due to the ball-tampering scandal involving Cameron Bancroft, Steve Smith, and David Warner. It was a huge victory for the Proteas, forever linked to one of cricket's most famous sporting intrigues.

The Proteas team delivered an outstanding day of Test cricket at St George's Park, managing to turn a precarious position early on the third day into complete dominance over Australia. Resuming play with a score of 97/5 after two rain-interrupted days, the South Africans launched a relentless counterattack led by captain Temba Bavuma, who played a monumental career-best innings.

Following this, the Proteas concluded a dominant session, achieving immediate success with the new ball before dusk. This allowed South Africa to enter the fourth day confidently, completely changing the course of the match.

One of the main highlights was the impressive counterattacking performance of Marco Jansen. After the early dismissal of Vian Mulder, Marco Jansen joined Temba Bavuma and drastically changed the dynamic at St George's Park. This tall all-rounder scored 85 runs, hitting a half-century off 43 balls, which included seven fours and two sixes.

Jansen's aggressive play in partnership with the composed captain brought the Proteas back into contention before he was caught by Scott Boland, who secured a well-deserved five-wicket haul.

Leading by example under immense pressure, Proteas captain Temba Bavuma played a masterful century in the fifth Test, becoming the bedrock of South Africa's recovery. Overcoming the fatigue of marathon exertion and weathering Australia's aggressive short spells, Bavuma neutralized Pat Cummins with great composure, reaching his important milestone.

His steadfast effort lasted over six hours, earning him a standing ovation as he spearheaded his team's counterattack from a difficult situation.

Spinner Simon Harmer provided invaluable support in the middle order, scoring his maiden Test half-century, which intensified the frustration of the Australian side. In a crucial partnership with Bavuma for 183 runs off 277 balls, Harmer displayed remarkable calm against the second new ball, guiding Bo Weibster past dismissals to reach 50 runs off 116 deliveries.

He was eventually dismissed in a tenacious innings of 82 runs when Marnus Labuschagne got him out, preventing him from achieving a magnificent century.

Bavuma achieved his career-best Test score of 179 runs, surpassing his previous record of 172 against West Indies. Playing with grit and elegance, the captain propelled South Africa past 400 runs before ultimately nudging Mitchell Starc behind him, concluding a monumental innings.

Shortly after his departure, South Africa declared the innings at an impressive 425/9, leaving themselves two days to take 20 wickets to level the series ahead of the third Test in Cape Town.

After missing the ODI series and the first Test, Proteas were led by Kagiso Rabada, who provided a brilliant start with the new ball after South Africa declared late on the third day. In his very first over, Rabada forced Nick Maddinson to attack from the back foot, resulting in a touch that went straight into Harmer's hands for a slap for zero.

Rabada's early breakthrough put Australia at 0/1, forcing night watchman Scott Boland onto the field to navigate a tense final spell against the spin of Harmer and Aiden Markram as the light began to fade.