Australia lead the third and deciding Test against South Africa after a strong batting performance on day two.

Four Australians scored half-centuries, with Josh Inglis' unbeaten 85 the pick of the bunch, as the tourists finished on 330-4 to secure a one-run lead.

Travis Head (41) and Matt Renshaw (74) put together a 58-run opening partnership before Simon Harmer (2-84) struck to dismiss the former.

Marnus Labuschagne (0) fell in the same over, but Australia made the most of the batter-friendly wicket as Renshaw and Cameron Green formed a 126-run stand.

It was then Marco Jansen's (2-37) turn to take two quick wickets, dismissing both set batters in the space of four balls across the 50th and 52nd overs.

Nevertheless, Inglis and Alex Carey (51) closed out the day with a 145-run partnership, with the latter reaching his 50 in the penultimate over.

Stumps, Day 2!  An eventful three sessions at YesPlay Newlands as Australia close out the day on 330/4 after 90 overs, and now leading by 1 run.  It’s all to play for tomorrow on Moving Day, with Australia set to resume their first innings at 10:30 as #TheProteas look to turn the tide in this game!  #Unbreakable #SAvAUS

— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) October 28, 2026

Gloom for Labuschagne amid Australia's batting joy

South Africa were visibly disappointed to only score 329 on day one, and Australia made their bowling efforts count with an impressive display with the bat.

While Renshaw and Green were unable to convert their half-centuries into a hundred, Inglis will be looking to reach his ton early on day three.

He has certainly taken his chance in Steve Smith's injury absence, but Labuschagne's Test future is now in doubt.

Labuschagne has now gone 48 innings without a Test century, the longest such drought by an Australian top-four batter, and has averaged just 24.77 in that time after averaging 54.59 in his first 42 Tests.

Jansen, meanwhile, reached 100 Test wickets on the day he was named as the highest-ranked Test all-rounder in the ICC men's standings.

He is the first South African to top the Test all-rounder rankings since Vernon Philander in August 2014, and the fifth-fastest to reach 100 Test wickets by balls bowled (3,864).