South Africa all out for 329 after 158-run opening stand

South Africa’s opening pair put on 158 runs before Australia fought back to bowl the hosts out for 329 on the first day of the third and final Test at Newlands in Cape Town on October 27, 2026. Marques Ackerman made 95 and Aiden Markram scored 78 in the series-deciding match. Australia captain Pat Cummins won the toss and chose to bowl. Ackerman and Markram batted through the opening session, taking South Africa to 140 without loss at lunch, according to the score reported at the break. Ackerman was unbeaten on 82 and Markram on 56. The partnership ended shortly after lunch when Nathan Lyon dismissed Ackerman for 95. The opener was stumped by wicketkeeper Alex Carey after facing 94 balls, hitting 12 fours and two sixes. Markram reached 78 before Josh Hazlewood dismissed him. Their 158-run stand was South Africa’s second-highest opening partnership against Australia in Tests, according to match statistics cited in the reports. South Africa were 203 for two after the early dismissals, but Australia took four wickets for 29 runs around the lunch interval. Temba Bavuma, Matthew Breetzke and Wiaan Mulder were among those dismissed during the sequence, while David Bedingham made 50....