Australia defeated South Africa by 214 runs in the first Test at Kingsmead, Durban, to take a 1–0 lead in the three-match series. Matt Renshaw produced a magnificent 190 in the first innings, while Josh Hazlewood took six wickets in South Africa’s second innings to seal the victory on Day 5.
The five-day contest had several turning points. South Africa reduced Australia to 124/6 on the opening day, but Matt Renshaw and Nathan Lyon helped the visitors recover. South Africa responded with 284 in their first innings, before Australia’s second-innings declaration set the hosts a target of 421 runs. Despite resistance from Aiden Markram, South Africa were eventually dismissed for 206.
Day 1: South Africa’s Bowlers Put Australia Under Pressure
Australia won the toss and elected to bat first at Kingsmead. However, the decision did not bring the start the visitors wanted, as South Africa’s bowlers made regular breakthroughs throughout the opening day. Marco Jansen dismissed Nic Maddinson for a duck, while Wiaan Mulder removed Travis Head for nine. The early wickets put Australia under pressure and forced Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith to rebuild the innings.
Marnus & Smith added 60 runs for the third wicket before Wiaan Mulder dismissed Marnus Labuschagne for 37. Steve Smith followed soon after, caught by Wiaan Mulder off Marco Jansen for 25. South Africa continued to attack. Anrich Nortje dismissed Alex Carey for 14 and Beau Webster for four, leaving Australia struggling at 124/6. The hosts had created a strong opportunity to bowl Australia out for a low total.
Matthew Renshaw, however, remained at the crease and provided resistance. He finished the day unbeaten on 46, with Australia reaching 187/6 at stumps. Pat Cummins was alongside him, and the pair had the responsibility of rebuilding the innings on the following morning.
Day 2: Matthew Renshaw & Nathan Lyon Turn the Match Around
Australia resumed Day 2 at 187/6, but South Africa quickly removed the remaining recognised batters. Wiaan Mulder dismissed Pat Cummins for 43, while Mitchell Starc fell for six, leaving Australia at 230/8. South Africa appeared close to finishing the innings, but Nathan Lyon joined Matt Renshaw and changed the direction of the match.
Renshaw batted with patience and concentration, while Nathan Lyon defended his wicket and supported him from the other end. Their ninth-wicket partnership produced 134 runs, a crucial stand that helped Australia move from 230/8 to 364/9. Marco Jansen eventually dismissed Nathan Lyon for 27, trapping him leg before wicket. However, the partnership had already transformed Australia’s position.
Matt Renshaw continued batting until Simon Harmer dismissed him for a magnificent 190. He faced 397 balls and struck 21 fours and one six. Australia were eventually all out for 390, recovering impressively after being reduced to 124/6 on the opening day. South Africa’s reply began with an early setback when Josh Hazlewood dismissed Ryan Rickelton for a duck. Aiden Markram and David Bedingham steadied the innings, taking South Africa to 27/1 at stumps.
Day 3: Australia Take a First-Innings Lead
South Africa resumed Day 3 at 27/1, needing a substantial partnership to challenge Australia’s total. Aiden Markram and David Bedingham offered resistance, but Australia continued to take important wickets. Mitchell Starc dismissed Aiden Markram for 37, ending the second-wicket partnership. Nathan Lyon then removed South African captain Temba Bavuma for three, with Steve Smith taking the catch at slip.
David Bedingham became another important wicket when he fell for 49. His dismissal prevented South Africa from building a bigger partnership and placed further pressure on the middle order. Tristan Stubbs scored 32 and Wiaan Mulder made 30, adding useful runs during a fifth-wicket partnership. However, Pat Cummins broke through by dismissing Wiaan Mulder, before Mitchell Starc removed Tristan Stubbs.
Australia continued to make breakthroughs as South Africa’s lower order struggled to build substantial partnerships. Marco Jansen scored 35, while Simon Harmer contributed an unbeaten 35 as the hosts were dismissed for 284. Australia secured a first-innings lead of 106 runs. With bad light interrupting play later in the day, the visitors began their second innings and reached 33/0 at stumps, extending their overall lead to 139 runs.
Day 4: Australia Strengthen Their Position
Australia resumed their second innings on Day 4 with a useful lead and the opportunity to set South Africa a challenging target. South Africa needed early wickets, and Marco Jansen dismissed Travis Head for 11. Anrich Nortje then removed Nic Maddinson for 21, giving South Africa another breakthrough. However, Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith helped Australia rebuild with a third-wicket partnership.
Marnus Labuschagne scored 39 before falling, while Steve Smith made 35. South Africa continued to fight back, but Matt Renshaw and Alex Carey helped Australia extend the lead. Matt Renshaw scored 82, following his first-innings 190 with another valuable contribution. Nic Maddinson’s 21 and the contributions from the middle order also helped Australia maintain their advantage. Australia declared at 314/6 after 58 overs, setting South Africa a target of 421 runs to win.
South Africa’s second innings began with another setback when Ryan Rickelton was dismissed for seven. Aiden Markram and David Bedingham then built a partnership, giving the hosts some hope of resisting the Australian attack. David Bedingham scored 34 before falling, while Temba Bavuma was dismissed for three. Nathan Lyon removed the South African captain, and Australia continued to take wickets at important moments.
South Africa reached 102/4 at stumps, with Aiden Markram unbeaten on 45 and Wiaan Mulder at the other end. The hosts still needed 319 runs to win, with six wickets remaining.
Day 5: Josh Hazlewood Finishes the Job
South Africa began the final day knowing that saving the match would require a determined batting effort. Aiden Markram and Wiaan Mulder resumed their partnership and tried to frustrate Australia’s bowlers. The pair added 69 runs for the fifth wicket from 205 balls, showing patience and discipline. However, Josh Hazlewood eventually dismissed Wiaan Mulder for 29, with Alex Carey taking the catch behind the stumps.
Matt Renshaw then removed Kyle Verreynne for one, caught by Steve Smith. The two quick wickets left South Africa in serious trouble at 156/6. Marco Jansen offered resistance with 35 runs, but Josh Hazlewood bowled him as Australia took the seventh wicket. Simon Harmer followed without scoring, caught by Alex Carey off Josh Hazlewood.
Aiden Markram continued fighting and reached 75 from 237 balls. His innings was one of the few substantial contributions from the South African batting lineup. However, Mitchell Starc dismissed him after a review, leaving South Africa at 201/9.
Josh Hazlewood claimed the final wicket when Anrich Nortje miscued a delivery and Nathan Lyon took the catch. South Africa were all out for 206, giving Australia a 214-run victory. Josh Hazlewood finished with six wickets for 49 runs in the innings, delivering the decisive performance with the ball. Matt Renshaw’s two substantial innings and his contributions with the ball also made him a standout performer across the match.
What Decided the First Test?
Australia’s victory was built on their ability to recover from difficult positions and take wickets at important moments. Matt Renshaw’s 190 after Australia had slipped to 124/6 was the defining batting performance of the match. His 134-run partnership with Nathan Lyon prevented South Africa from gaining a significant first-innings advantage. South Africa had opportunities to take control but could not finish Australia’s lower order quickly enough. Their first-innings total of 284 left them 106 runs behind, and Australia’s second-innings declaration increased the pressure.
Josh Hazlewood’s six-wicket haul then ensured South Africa could not complete the chase. Aiden Markram’s 75 showed resistance, but the hosts lacked the partnerships required to challenge the target of 421. Australia won the first Test by 214 runs and took a 1–0 lead in the series. South Africa will need to improve their batting consistency in the next match, while Australia will look to carry their momentum forward.
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