South Africa complete innings win over Australia in Gqeberha after rain-soaked wait

Rain-hit wait ends in dominant win

South Africa wiped away the disappointment of their first Test defeat in Durban with a convincing innings win over Australia at St George's Park on Thursday. The final day's start was repeatedly delayed, first from 9.45am and then through a series of revised times, before play finally got under way at noon.

The rain had already taken more than three-quarters of the overs across the first two days. When it cleared, the whipping westerly kept the covers on and off, and the frustration among South Africa's players was clear. Australia, who had been bowled out for 99 on Wednesday, needed 170 more runs to avoid an innings defeat, while the hosts needed six wickets.

Head's 13th century and Boland's stubborn resistance

Travis Head went on to his 13th Test century, a score of 121 that came off a 13th delivery from Marco Jansen. Head was eventually dismissed when he was bowled on the stumps by Wiaan Mulder after a high bounce, ending a partnership of 59 with nightwatchman Scott Boland.

Boland, who came in as nightwatchman, batted for more than three hours and faced 166 balls for his 40, his highest Test score. Of those deliveries, 149 were scoreless. He was finally bowled by Mulder with an inswinger, and his innings was the most stubborn resistance of the day.

Steven Smith, who had not batted on Wednesday because of a neck issue, was caught at midwicket by Matthew Breetzke after a sliced pull off Rabada. Australia were 253 for 6 at tea.

Tail collapses as Mulder strikes again

Mulder struck again to dismiss Pat Cummins with an inswinger that took the outside edge and hit the stumps 11 balls later. Rabada then bowled Mitchell Starc with a fifth-ball delivery that ripped through his stumps. Australia were eight wickets down and 36 runs short of avoiding an innings defeat when the floodlights came on.

Josh Hazlewood then hit a wild shot at Jansen and was caught by Aiden Markram at second slip, sealing victory by an innings and 31 runs.

A record of resilience

Australia had gone 34 Tests without losing by an innings before this match, and had twice suffered that margin of defeat in that period. South Africa had not lost by an innings in 24 Tests, and this is their third such win in that time. The result followed a first Test defeat by 214 runs at Kingsmead, where Australia had won by 214 runs last Tuesday.

The win was built on South Africa's determination after the weather had disrupted much of the contest. As the match ended, the home crowd's favourite song, the isiXhosa tune "Nono", rang out around the ground as it has done for South Africa's football team when victory is close.