South Africa opened the three-match ODI series with a convincing 67-run victory over Australia at Kingsmead in Durban. After being asked to bat, the hosts recovered from 168 for five to post 297 for eight, then bowled Australia out for 230 in 41.2 overs.
Matthew Breetzke anchored the innings with 112 from 106 balls, while Marco Jansen transformed the final phase with 75 from 59. Australia raced through the powerplay, but Keshav Maharaj's controlled spell of 4/20 turned the chase decisively in South Africa's favour.
South Africa vs Australia first ODI result
South Africa: 297/8 in 50 overs
Australia: 230 all out in 41.2 overs
Result: South Africa won by 67 runs
Series: South Africa lead the three-match ODI series 1-0
Breetzke rebuilds South Africa's innings
South Africa lost early momentum after Ryan Rickelton made 27 and captain Temba Bavuma contributed 30. Breetzke absorbed the pressure, rotated the strike and punished loose bowling to keep the innings together as wickets fell around him.
He reached his century and finished with 112 from 106 deliveries, striking 14 fours and two sixes. His measured innings gave South Africa a platform after the scoreboard had slipped to 168 for five.
Breetzke and Jansen add a match-changing 107
Jansen joined Breetzke with Australia pressing for a lower-order collapse. The pair instead added 107 runs for the sixth wicket, carrying South Africa from 168/5 to 275/6 and changing the shape of the contest.
Jansen supplied the late acceleration with 75 from 59 balls, including seven fours and four sixes. Their partnership allowed South Africa to reach 297/8 despite Nathan Ellis taking 3/57 and Adam Zampa returning 2/50.
Australia make a flying start to the chase
Mitchell Marsh attacked from the outset, scoring 60 from only 36 balls. Alongside Travis Head, who made 36, he helped Australia surge to 96/1 after 10 overs and put the required rate under immediate pressure.
The chase was still strongly placed at 129 for one, but Head's dismissal at that score opened the door. South Africa tightened the field, reduced the boundary flow and began taking wickets at regular intervals.
Maharaj turns the match with 4/20
Maharaj exploited the slowing surface with accuracy and subtle changes of pace. His spell removed the middle-order resistance and ensured Australia could not rebuild after the fast start.
Cooper Connolly scored 38 and Matthew Renshaw made 44, but neither could take the chase deep enough. Maharaj finished with 4/20 from 9.2 overs, including two maidens, as Australia lost their final wicket at 230.
South Africa take a 1-0 series lead
Bjorn Fortuin and Corbin Bosch supported Maharaj with two wickets each, while Jansen and Gerald Coetzee claimed one apiece. The 67-run margin completed an emphatic turnaround after Australia's aggressive powerplay.
South Africa now carry a 1-0 lead into the second ODI, with Breetzke's century, Jansen's all-round impact and Maharaj's four-wicket spell setting the early standard for the series.
Key performances
Matthew Breetzke: 112 from 106 balls, with 14 fours and two sixes
Marco Jansen: 75 from 59 balls and 1/64
Keshav Maharaj: 4/20 from 9.2 overs
Mitchell Marsh: 60 from 36 balls
Nathan Ellis: 3/57 for Australia
Scores and match details checked against ESPNcricinfo's match report and the Cricbuzz scorecard.
Sources
Australia Strike Back in the Test Series
Australia later opened the Test leg with a commanding 214-run victory over South Africa in Durban, led by Matt Renshaw and Josh Hazlewood.