South Africa were bowled out for 138, and Australia were reduced to 144-8, holding a lead of 218.
Day 2 of the World Test Championship final was greeted with grey skies and overcast conditions.
The Proteas resumed on 43-4, trailing Australia by 169 and needing a rescue act from their captain Temba Bavuma and County Cricket star David Bedingham.
There was an immediate change in attitude from both batters, sparked by a couple of boundaries and sharp running between the wickets—initiated by Bavuma and matched by Bedingham.
The sun fully emerged 30 minutes into the first session, a welcome development for South Africa as it made batting conditions more favourable.
Bavuma brought up the 50-run partnership with a delicate cover drive in the 34th over.
He then pulled Cummins for the first six of the Test in the 35th over, with a fan in the crowd taking a brilliant barehanded catch.
At the drinks break, South Africa were 87-4 (35 overs).
Bavuma then played an expansive drive off Cummins, only to be caught by Marnus Labuschagne diving at cover. He was dismissed for 36—an unfortunate time for the Proteas to lose a wicket, ending a valuable 64-run partnership.
South Africa were now 94-5.
Kyle Verreynne joined his close friend Bedingham at the crease, and the Proteas brought up the 100 in the 45th over.
Bedingham finished the session with two superb boundaries, reducing the deficit to 91.
South Africa were 121-5 at lunch on Day 2.
After lunch, the Proteas collapsed.
Cummins reviewed an lbw appeal initially given not out. To the naked eye, it looked to be missing leg, but the decision was overturned, and South Africa lost their sixth wicket with the score on 126.
Cummins struck again shortly after, catching and bowling Jansen. South Africa were 126-7 after 52 overs.
Bedingham (45) was dismissed in the 56th over, nicking off, and Cummins became the first fast-bowling captain to take a five-for at Lord’s.
South Africa were now 135-8, still trailing by 77 runs.
A run out of Maharaj saw the Proteas lose their ninth wicket with 138 on the board.
Rabada then pulled Cummins straight to Webster at deep square to wrap up the innings for 138.
Cummins claimed his 300th Test wicket and finished with figures of 6-28.
Australia began their second innings with a 74-run lead.
They extended it to a 100-run lead when Rabada struck—dismissing Usman Khawaja for 6, caught by Verreynne in the 11th over.
Rabada struck again two balls later, with Green edging to Mulder at third slip.
South Africa claimed a third wicket with Australia on 44 in the 18th over, when Jansen dismissed Labuschagne for 22 with a nick to the keeper.
Then came the big wicket of Steve Smith. Lungi Ngidi—criticised heavily before the match—trapped Smith lbw. After a review, the umpire overturned his decision. Australia were 48-4 after 19 overs.
Ngidi struck again in the 23rd over, trapping Webster lbw, and Mulder bowled Head in the 24th, reducing Australia to 66-6.
South Africa were well and truly back in the contest.
Ngidi (3-35) claimed his third wicket in the 25th over, bowling Cummins. Australia were now reeling at 73-7.
Starc and Carey then staged a recovery, adding 61 for the eighth wicket and taking Australia’s lead to 208.
Rabada (3-44) eventually trapped Carey lbw for 43, reducing Australia to 144-8.
