Australia beat South Africa by 214 runs in the first Test in Durban on Tuesday, with Josh Hazlewood’s career-best 6-49 bowling the hosts out for 206 in pursuit of 421. Matt Renshaw’s 190 and 82 set it up, and Australia lead the three-match series 1-0.
Durban, South Africa: South Africa began the final day at Kingsmead needing 319 more runs with six wickets in hand, a task that was always going to need a long day of resistance. Josh Hazlewood, with the new ball, struck twice in a single over and the chase never recovered.
Renshaw’s match
The foundations were laid by one batter. Matt Renshaw made 190 in Australia’s first innings of 390, the innings that carried Australia to a competitive total, and then added 82 as Australia declared their second innings on 314 for 6. That left South Africa a target of 421 after they had replied to the first innings with 284. Renshaw also took wickets with the ball, including that of Kyle Verreynne, and was named Player of the Match.
Hazlewood takes control
South Africa had reached 102 for 4 at the close of day four, as Australia closed in. On the last morning, Hazlewood broke the stand between Aiden Markram and Wiaan Mulder, which had put on 69 for the fifth wicket, and then cut through the rest. He finished with 6-49 in the second innings, the best figures of his Test career, and eight wickets in the match.
Mulder fell to Hazlewood for 29, and Marco Jansen, who made 35, was bowled by him. Mitchell Starc removed Markram, caught behind after a review, ending the resistance of a batter who had made 75 from 237 balls.
The margin and what follows
South Africa were all out for 206, 214 runs short of a target that would have been a Test-record chase. The win gives Australia a 1-0 lead in the series. The second Test starts in Gqeberha on Sunday, 18 October.
Result: Australia won by 214 runs. Australia 390 (Matt Renshaw 190) and 314-6 declared (Renshaw 82); South Africa 284 and 206 (Aiden Markram 75; Josh Hazlewood 6-49).
Player of the Match: Matt Renshaw (as reported).
Match: First Test of three, Kingsmead, Durban, Tuesday 13 October 2026.
