Australia defeated South Africa by 214 runs in the first Test at Kingsmead in Durban on Tuesday, taking a 1-0 lead in the series. Josh Hazlewood claimed six wickets for 49 runs in the hosts’ second innings to seal the victory. Matt Renshaw also played a key role, scoring 190 in Australia’s first innings.
South Africa were bowled out for 206 in 86.5 overs while chasing a target of 421 on the fourth day. Aiden Markram led the hosts’ batting with 75 runs from 237 balls, including 10 fours. David Bedingham added 46, while Wiaan Mulder scored 29 and Marco Jansen contributed 35. However, Australia’s bowlers kept control and prevented South Africa from threatening the target.
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Australia posted 390 in their first innings, with Renshaw producing a patient 190 from 397 balls. His innings included 21 fours and one six, providing the foundation for the visitors’ total. Mulder took four wickets for 68 runs, while Jansen claimed three wickets. South Africa responded with 284, leaving Australia with a 106-run first-innings lead.
Bedingham top-scored for South Africa in their first innings with 49, while Markram made 37. Pat Cummins took three wickets for 54 runs, and Mitchell Starc, Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon claimed two wickets each. Australia then declared their second innings at 314 for six after 58 overs, setting the hosts a target of 421.
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Renshaw continued his strong performance with 82 from 99 balls in the second innings. Nic Maddinson scored 48, Beau Webster remained unbeaten on 39, and Cummins struck an unbeaten 32 from just 12 deliveries. Their contributions helped Australia build a challenging target before Hazlewood led the decisive bowling effort.
Hazlewood made an early breakthrough by dismissing Ryan Rickelton for two. Bedingham offered resistance before falling for 46, while captain Temba Bavuma managed only one run and Tristan Stubbs scored one. Markram and Mulder then added 69 runs for the fifth wicket, but Hazlewood broke the partnership by removing Mulder. He later dismissed Jansen, Simon Harmer and Anrich Nortje before Markram fell for 75, completing Hazlewood’s six-wicket haul and securing Australia’s 214-run win.