Australia defeated South Africa by 214 runs in the first Test at Durban on 13 October 2026, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Matt Renshaw was named Player of the Match after scores of 190 and 82, while Josh Hazlewood completed the victory with career-best innings figures of 6/49.
South Africa vs Australia 1st Test result
Australia: 390 & 314/6 declared
South Africa: 284 & 206
Result: Australia won by 214 runs
Player of the Match: Matt Renshaw
Renshaw's 190 Builds Australia's Advantage
Australia's first-innings total of 390 was shaped by Renshaw's career-best Test score of 190. South Africa replied with 284, with David Bedingham and Aiden Markram leading the resistance, but the visitors still secured a 106-run first-innings advantage.
Australia Set South Africa 421
Australia accelerated in their second innings and declared at 314/6. Renshaw added 82, Nic Maddinson contributed another brisk half-century, and late runs from Pat Cummins and Beau Webster pushed the target to an imposing 421.
South Africa ended the fourth day at 102/4 after Hazlewood and part-time bowler Renshaw made early breakthroughs under the lights.
Markram Leads the Final-Day Resistance
Aiden Markram occupied the crease for 237 deliveries and scored 75, while Wiaan Mulder made 29. Their stand delayed Australia, but Mulder's dismissal to Hazlewood shortly before lunch opened the way for the visitors.
Marco Jansen contributed 35 lower down the order, but South Africa could not sustain the chase after the second new ball became available.
Hazlewood Seals the Win With 6/49
Hazlewood ran through the lower order to complete career-best figures of 6/49. He removed Jansen and Simon Harmer in quick succession before dismissing Anrich Nortje to end South Africa's second innings at 206.
Mitchell Starc removed Markram for 75, while Renshaw added Kyle Verreynne's wicket to his two major batting contributions.
Australia Take a 1-0 Series Lead
The 214-run victory moved Australia 1-0 ahead and strengthened their position at the top of the 2025–27 ICC World Test Championship standings. South Africa slipped to third, with New Zealand moving into second place.
The second Test begins in Gqeberha on 18 October, followed by the third match in Cape Town from 27 October.
Key Performances
- Matt Renshaw: 190 and 82, plus a second-innings wicket.
- Josh Hazlewood: Career-best 6/49 in South Africa's second innings.
- Aiden Markram: 75 from 237 balls in the final innings.
- Marco Jansen: 35 during South Africa's lower-order resistance.
- Australia: Won by 214 runs and took a 1-0 series lead.
Sources
- ICC — Australia complete a 214-run victory in Durban
- ICC World Test Championship — South Africa vs Australia scorecard
Scores, result, award and individual performances were checked against the official ICC match report and scorecard on 13 October 2026.