Josh Hazlewood delivered a spectacular fielding effort on Day 1 of the third Test between South Africa and Australia.

Hazlewood took a remarkable catch near the boundary to send David Bedingham back to the pavilion.

Josh Hazlewood delivered a spectacular fielding effort on Day 1 of the third Test between South Africa and Australia at Newlands, producing a remarkable catch near the boundary to send David Bedingham back to the pavilion. The moment added to the drama of the series decider, with both teams looking to gain the upper hand after the series was level at 1-1.

The Australian pacer displayed excellent reflexes and composure under pressure to complete the dismissal off Mitchell Starc’s bowling. As Bedingham attempted to accelerate the scoring with an aggressive shot towards the boundary, Hazlewood positioned himself perfectly to pull off a memorable piece of fielding.

Josh Hazlewood pulls off a brilliant catch to dismiss David Bedingham

Bedingham looked to dispatch Starc’s delivery over the boundary, but Hazlewood had other plans. Standing close to the rope, the Australian quick leapt into the air and initially grabbed the ball while balancing on the edge of the field.

Realising that his momentum could carry him beyond the boundary, Hazlewood quickly released the ball back into the playing area. He regained his balance, returned to a legal position and completed the catch on his second attempt, leaving the South African batter dismissed after a stunning effort.

The dismissal highlighted Hazlewood’s athleticism and awareness, turning what appeared to be a potential boundary into a crucial wicket for Australia.

Here’s the video:

WoW moment pic.twitter.com/p7YncxxmXM

— Dexter (@DexteisGenius) October 28, 2026

Mitchell Starc leads Australia’s fightback after strong South African start

Although Hazlewood’s catch provided one of the day’s standout moments, Australia had to work hard to recover from a challenging opening session. Captain Pat Cummins won the toss and chose to bowl, but South Africa’s opening batters made the visitors pay for their decision.

Aiden Markram scored 78, while Marques Ackerman contributed an impressive 95 as the pair dominated the Australian attack. Their 158-run opening partnership put the hosts in a commanding position and raised concerns for Australia’s bowling unit.

However, the visitors found their breakthrough after lunch, with Starc producing an excellent running catch to dismiss Markram off Hazlewood’s bowling. That wicket proved to be a turning point as Australia’s bowlers began to apply sustained pressure.

Starc subsequently took charge of the contest, delivering a devastating spell that dismantled South Africa’s batting order. The left-arm quick was particularly effective with the second new ball, claiming four wickets in just six deliveries as the hosts suffered a dramatic collapse.

South Africa, which had looked firmly in control earlier in the day, eventually lost all 10 wickets for 329 runs by stumps. Starc finished with outstanding figures of 6/72, giving Australia a strong response after the hosts’ impressive start. Hazlewood’s remarkable catch and Starc’s exceptional bowling transformed the complexion of the opening day. With South Africa bowled out for 329, Australia ended Day 1 of the series decider with renewed confidence and an opportunity to build on their late surge.