South Africa vs Australia Highlights, 2nd Test Day 4: Travis Head Leads Australia's Fightback After South Africa Enforce Follow-On

South Africa vs Australia, 2nd Test Day 4 Highlights: Marco Jansenn and Kagiso Rabada bowled South Africa to within sight of a series-levelling victory on the fourth day of the second Test at St George's Park on Wednesday.

SA vs AUS 2nd Test Highlights: Travis Head survived an early chance and was unbeaten on 87.© AFP

South Africa vs Australia 2nd Test Day 4 Highlights:Marco Jansenn and Kagiso Rabada bowled South Africa to within sight of a series-levelling victory on the fourth day of the second Test at St George's Park on Wednesday. Australia were 156 for four in their follow on innings after being shot out for 99 earlier in the day. They were still 170 runs short of making South Africa bat again. Travis Head survived an early chance and was unbeaten on 87. Earlier, South Africa recovered from 110/6 to declare their first innings at 425/9, as captain Temba Bavuma slammed a sensational knock of 179. Australia will resume from 3/1, with pacer Kagiso Rabada having picked up a wicket for the hosts already. Travis Head and nightwatchman Scott Boland are at the crease, with the likes of Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith and Matt Renshaw to come. With only two days of play left, a draw appears to be the most likely result. (Scorecard)

[2nd Test, Australia in South Africa, 3 Test Series, 2026, Oct 18, 2026 Day 4 | Stumps - [x] notify SA 425/9d AUS (f/o) 99&156/4 (54.0) St George's Park, Gqeberha Australia won the toss and elected to field CRR: 2.89 Batsman Travis Head 87* (138) Scott Boland 2 (23) Bowler Simon Harmer 47/2 (18) Aiden Markram 18/0 (7)](https://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/sa-vs-aus-scorecard-live-cricket-score-australia-in-south-africa-3-test-series-2026-2nd-test-saau10182026269791#pfrom=insidearticle)

SA vs AUS 2nd Test Day 4 LIVE

1. ! Set up for a grandstand finish -What works in Australia's favour is that the ball is already 54 overs old, and with very little action on Days 1 and 2, there hasn't been much foot traffic on the surface. As a result, the indentations may not be as pronounced as they usually are on a Day 5 pitch.A lot will also depend on Steve Smith's availability, with the Australian batter nursing a sore neck. South Africa's attack, meanwhile, will have had a good night's rest and will be raring to go on Day 5, backing themselves to get the job done. It's all set up for a fascinating finish, with play scheduled to begin at 7.45 am GMT. We look forward to having your company then. Cheers!

2. ! Harmer makes his presence felt -After being asked to bat again, Australia lost Nic Maddinson early, but they found some resistance through Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne. The pair did well to see off the new ball, with Head looking increasingly assured at the crease.However, Labuschagne fell in the 30s to an avoidable shot, and South Africa seized on that opening, with Harmer making the most of whatever assistance the surface offered.

3. ! Australia left reeling-Earlier in the day, Australia were skittled out for just 99 in their first innings, handing the Proteas a massive 326-run lead. Steve Smith brought up 11,000 Test runs, but that was about the only real highlight for the tourists in an otherwise disappointing innings.Marco Jansen led the charge with a five-wicket haul, while Anrich Nortje's groin issue left South Africa without one of their frontline pacers. That left Temba Bavuma with a decision to make, with the option of batting for a little while to give his bowlers a breather before putting Australia back in.

4. ! 3.48 pm GMT - STUMPS, DAY 4 -End of an absorbing day in the Test. For the second day in a row, South Africa have taken the honours and will push for a win on Day 5, a result that seemed far less likely after the first two days. Australia have it all to do on the final day if they are to save the Test and protect their series lead.

5. 53.6 0 Simon Harmer to Scott Boland

Job well done by Scott Boland. Offers flight, does Harmer, on middle. Boland gets forward to block it off. That will be Stumps on Day 4.

6. 53.5 0 Simon Harmer to Scott Boland

Short and turning back in at the pads. Boland goes back in the crease and nurdles it to backward square leg.

7. 53.4 0 Simon Harmer to Scott Boland

A bit of air given, fuller and on middle. Boland leans forward to defend.

8. 53.3 0 Simon Harmer to Scott Boland

Dragged down, slower and on off. Boland punches it back to the bowler.

9. 53.2 0 Simon Harmer to Scott Boland

Around off, flat and short. Boland stabs it down on the off side.

10. 53.1 0 Simon Harmer to Scott Boland

On a good length, on middle. It spins back in but Boland does well to jam it out.

11. ! Time for the final over of the day.

12. 52.6 0 Aiden Markram to Travis Head

Drops it short, on the off stump. Head hangs back to defend.

13. 52.5 0 Aiden Markram to Travis Head

Flighted up, on off, defended solidly off the front foot.

14. 52.4 0 Aiden Markram to Travis Head

Down leg, Head thinks about going after it but then decides against it.

15. 52.3 0 Aiden Markram to Travis Head

Full and on middle. Head gets a good stride in to stab it down.

16. 52.2 0 Aiden Markram to Travis Head

Shorter and on middle, that is punched off the back foot but straight to the mid on fielder.

17. 52.1 0 Aiden Markram to Travis Head

Outside off, that is left alone for the keeper to collect.

18. ! The light is still good enough, so play continues.

19. 51.6 0 Simon Harmer to Scott Boland

Really full, on middle. Boland digs it out back to the bowler.

20. 51.5 0 Simon Harmer to Scott Boland

Kept out! Drifting away, on a length. Boland ekes out an inside edge onto the pads as he lunges to defend. The ball trickles harmlessly away from the stumps.

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