Markram, de Zorzi, Verreynne, and Mulder solidify South Africa’s lead.
South Africa: 160 & 223/5 (Markram 51, Verreynne 50*, Seales 3-52, Motie 2-61)
West Indies: 144 (Holder 54*, Mulder 4-32, Burger 3-49, Maharaj 2-8)
Lead: South Africa by 239 runs
South Africa has gained a significant advantage with a lead of 239 runs and five wickets remaining on a pitch that improved for batting as the day progressed. With a strong grip on the Sir Vivian Richards Trophy, South Africa is inching closer to victory.
The day saw eight wickets fall in Guyana, with momentum swinging back and forth. South Africa initially took two quick wickets, but West Indies’ last pair, Jason Holder and Shamar Joseph, staged a comeback with a 40-run 10th-wicket partnership—the second-highest of the West Indies innings—closing the gap in the first innings. South Africa, however, remains in a favorable position for the final innings.
South Africa’s dominance was highlighted by an opening partnership of 79 runs, half-centuries from Aiden Markram and Kyle Verreynne, and an unbeaten 84-run stand for the sixth wicket between Verreynne and Wiaan Mulder—the highest of the series so far. Despite losing four wickets early on day one and West Indies losing three on day two, South Africa capitalized on the opportunity. The West Indies will aim to exploit early morning conditions on day three, especially with the pitch expected to be at its best by the afternoon.
South Africa’s openers faced early challenges from Jayden Seales’ seam movement and Jason Holder’s disciplined lines. Markram narrowly avoided being caught off Holder’s bowling but soon found his rhythm, driving Seales for four. Tony de Zorzi, despite an initial scare with a run-out opportunity, settled in and took South Africa to lunch at 30 without loss.
After the break, runs flowed more freely, but South Africa presented their first real chance when de Zorzi edged Holder, only for wicketkeeper Joshua da Silva to drop the catch. De Zorzi was dismissed shortly after, giving Seales a well-deserved wicket with the opening stand broken at 79.
Markram and Tristan Stubbs managed to add just six runs before Stubbs, struggling to settle, edged Gudakesh Motie past slip. Markram reached his half-century off 104 balls but was trapped lbw by Motie soon after. Temba Bavuma narrowly escaped an edge to slip but was later dismissed on review after being hit on the pad by Motie.
This sparked a mini-collapse, with Stubbs and David Bedingham falling in quick succession, leaving South Africa in danger of a sub-200 lead. However, Mulder and Verreynne steadied the ship, taking South Africa past 200. Mulder survived an lbw decision on review, and the pair added 26 runs in the last four overs of the day, with Verreynne completing his fifty off 71 balls—his third in Test cricket.
Earlier, Holder and Joseph’s 40-run partnership ensured West Indies finished just 16 runs behind South Africa’s first innings total of 160. After a slow start, Kagiso Rabada claimed his first wicket, dismissing Jomel Warrican. Nandre Burger then targeted Seales with a mix of short and full deliveries, eventually trapping him lbw. South Africa had a chance to end the West Indies innings when Joseph edged to Markram, but the catch was dropped. Joseph made the most of the opportunity, contributing 25 runs and supporting Holder, who reached his 14th Test fifty.
Joseph continued to attack, sending deliveries from Burger out of the ground, but was eventually trapped lbw by Keshav Maharaj, bringing the West Indies innings to a close 90 minutes into the day, and setting up South Africa for their second innings.