Overview
- Australia begin the fifth day at Newlands on Saturday with all 10 wickets in hand and 288 runs to chase to win the third Test and clinch the series 2-1.
- South Africa set the target after being bowled out for 387 in their second innings following centuries from Wiaan Mulder and Ryan Rickelton.
- Reporters say the surface is turning while retaining consistent bounce, a combination that makes batting in the fourth innings harder but not impossible.
- Marnus Labuschagne and Australia's top order face intense scrutiny after early failures, with the outcome likely to shape selection and confidence ahead of the summer.
- Newlands has seen successful fourth-innings chases before, most famously Australia’s 334/6 in 2002, so a 288 chase is challenging but within the realm of past recoveries and would carry clear series consequences.