Matt Renshaw scores 272 runs across two innings before Josh Hazlewood’s six wicket haul seals Australia’s victory in the opening Test.
Australia have taken a 1–0 lead in their three Test series against South Africa after securing a 214 run victory in the first Test at Kingsmead in Durban on Tuesday, 13 October 2026.
Matt Renshaw was named Player of the Match after scoring 190 in Australia’s first innings and 82 in the second. Josh Hazlewood then produced career best Test figures of 6–49 to help bowl South Africa out for 206 on the fifth day.
The result gives Australia an important opening victory in the 2026–27 ICC World Test Championship series.
Renshaw rescues Australia after early wickets
Australia’s first innings began under pressure after the visitors slipped to 6-124.
Renshaw anchored the innings with 190 from 397 balls, striking 21 fours and one six. His innings helped Australia recover from a difficult position and reach 390 all out in 137.2 overs.
Captain Pat Cummins contributed 43, while South Africa’s Wiaan Mulder took four wickets for 68 runs. Marco Jansen claimed three wickets for 68.
South Africa responded with 284 all out in 78 overs. David Bedingham scored 46 and Aiden Markram made 37, while Cummins led Australia’s bowling with three wickets for 54 runs.
Australia therefore secured a first innings lead of 106 runs.
Australia set a target of 421
The visitors strengthened their position in the second innings, scoring 6-314 before declaring after 58 overs.
Renshaw continued his impressive match with 82 from 99 balls. Nic Maddinson also scored 48, while Beau Webster remained unbeaten on 39 and Cummins finished unbeaten on 32 from just 12 deliveries.
The declaration left South Africa needing 421 runs to win the Test.
With a substantial target to chase, the home side faced the challenge of surviving Australia’s bowling attack while maintaining the scoring rate required for victory.
Hazlewood delivers the decisive spell
South Africa’s second innings ended at 206 in 86.5 overs, giving Australia victory by 214 runs.
Markram top scored with 75 from 237 balls, providing sustained resistance during the chase. Wiaan Mulder contributed 29, while Marco Jansen scored 35.
Hazlewood finished with figures of 6–49, taking six of South Africa’s second-innings wickets. His performance was instrumental in completing the victory.
Renshaw also contributed with the ball, taking two wickets in the second innings. His combined contribution of 272 runs and two wickets underlined his importance to Australia’s success.
South Africa lost their final four wickets for just five runs, bringing the contest to a close on the fifth day.
What the result means for Australia
Australia’s victory was built on a combination of batting resilience and effective bowling.
Renshaw’s first innings 190 proved crucial after Australia had lost six wickets for 124 runs. His second-innings 82 helped extend the lead, while Hazlewood’s six-wicket haul ensured South Africa could not complete the chase.
The final scorecard read:
- Australia: 390 all out and 314–6 declared.
- South Africa: 284 all out and 206 all out.
- Result: Australia won by 214 runs.
- Player of the Match: Matt Renshaw.
Australia now lead the three-Test series 1–0. South Africa will need to respond in the remaining matches if they are to recover the series.
For Australia, the opening result provides a strong foundation, with Renshaw’s batting and Hazlewood’s bowling the defining individual performances of the Durban Test.
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