A fan hogged headlines on Day 3 of the third Test between South Africa and Australia in Cape Town after being caught holding a placard with a hilarious message for Proteas wicketkeeper-batter Ryan Rickelton.

While South Africa’s Gerald Coetzee was bowling to Australia's Cooper Connolly and Mitchell Starc, the stadium's broadcast cameras panned to a fan in the grass banks sporting a cap and sunglasses. He was proudly holding up a banner that read: "Ryan Rickelton, is your mom single?"

Realising he was live on the stadium's giant screen, the spectator leaned heavily into the bit—flashing a massive grin, removing his cap and sunglasses, and blowing flying kisses toward the camera.

Rickelton was initially focused on his duties behind the stumps. However, his teammates quickly urged him to look up at the big screen. Upon seeing the poster, he could only shake his head with a wry smile and a smirk before shifting his focus back to the match.

The live commentators could not control their laughter, with one jokingly remarking, "I’m not sure he’s putting his best foot forward, but credit for having a crack, I guess."

The clip quickly split cricket fans online. While a massive chunk of the internet treated it as harmless, classic grass-banks banter at Newlands, others found it slightly disrespectful and intrusive.

At stumps on Day 3 of the Cape Town Test, South Africa reached 140/4 in their second innings, holding a narrow 40-run lead over Australia.

Resuming the morning session at 330/4, Australia were eventually bowled out for 429. Josh Inglis starred with his second Test century (102), while Alex Carey contributed a solid 80. For the hosts, spinner Simon Harmer led the bowling attack with 4/104, and Marco Jansen claimed 3/60.

Trailing by 100 runs, the Proteas suffered early blows in their second innings as Mitchell Starc removed Aiden Markram (1) and Josh Hazlewood dismissed David Bedingham (11).

Marques Ackerman anchored the recovery with a fighting half-century (62) before falling to a sharp Starc bouncer. Captain Temba Bavuma then displayed fierce resistance, grinding out 35 runs off 115 balls. However, in a major twist just minutes before the close of play, Nathan Lyon bowled Bavuma with a classic turning delivery.

Matthew Breetzke (19*) and Ryan Rickelton (8*) remain at the crease to navigate the remaining sessions of the high-stakes series decider.