Proteas spearhead Kagiso Rabada celebrates the wicket of Nic Maddinson upon his return to the Test arena.

Image: BackpagePix

Sport is a fickle business.

When the Proteas were 20/2, 40/4 and 110/6, the talk was all about how the hosts could find a way to get up to 200. Anything more would be a major bonus.

A few hours later, the conversation had dramatically switched to why the Proteas were delaying a declaration, which eventually came at 425/9 with the shadows lengthening over St George's Park.

The timing of the declaration allowed the Proteas to bowl only four overs at Australia's batters. More importantly, the 'Rolls-Royce', Kagiso Rabada, back in the Test line-up after close to a year's absence, was allowed to charge in for only one over.

The fact that it yielded the wicket of opener Nic Maddinson fanned the flames even more.

But Proteas captain Temba Bavuma, who was out in the middle compiling his epic 179 when the declaration was made, stated that it was all part of the bigger plan.

"Yeah. I was a bit hesitant (to declare), to be honest. That was because of the light," the skipper explained.

"And, I mean, we saw as soon as, I guess, the sun went into the deep clouds, we weren't able to bowl the seam.

"So I was happy to come tomorrow, give the guys as much break as they can, the bowlers at least. But in saying that, we made the decision, and it bore some fruit."

With the Proteas having posted an imposing total, and only two days remaining in this weather-affected second Test, it is realistically only the home side that can push for a result.

🗣️ “We’ve given ourselves a fighting chance.” Temba Bavuma reflects on his emotional century and South Africa’s remarkable fightback 🇿🇦 #SAvAUS 🏏 https://t.co/8dYPa9Tse5

— SEN Cricket (@SEN_Cricket) October 20, 2026

Bavuma is fully aware of the situation and has prepped his team mentally to spend the remainder of the Test in the field if they are to level the series heading to Cape Town next week.

"If we're going to get on the right side of the result, we're going to have to spend the majority of those two days in the field," Bavuma said.

"Mentally, we need to prepare for that overnight. There's still something in the pitch, especially with the new ball.

"If we can get the ball in the right place for a considerable amount of time, anything can happen.

"And hopefully on day five, the spin comes into play as well. Simon can be a lot more of a threat.

"We obviously want to go for the win, and we'll do as much as we can to bring that to life."