McDonald Admits Australia Squandered Lead as South Africa Seal Series Comeback

Australia head coach Andrew McDonald has admitted his team squandered a winning position after South Africa completed a comeback series victory in Cape Town. The tourists arrived at Newlands with a one-nil lead but were humbled on the final day of the decider, bowled out for 111 while chasing 288 after collapsing to seven wickets down for 60 in the morning session. It was the second batting collapse in as many matches, following their dismissal for 99 in the first innings of the second Test in Gqeberha, and it handed South Africa a series win that had looked unlikely after the opening match. McDonald rejected suggestions that Australia have underachieved under Pat Cummins, pointing out that this was only their second series defeat in 16 under the captain, but he conceded that surrendering the lead hurt most. The defeat, in Australia's first Test in Cape Town since the 2018 sandpaper scandal, will sharpen questions over selection and batting strategy ahead of major series against New Zealand, India and England over the next year. For South Africa, the comeback confirms their rise as a force capable of beating the world's best over a full series.