Australia defeated South Africa by 214 runs in Durban to take a 1-0 lead in the Test series, ending the hosts’ resistance on the fifth day at Kingsmead.
Australia’s victory was built around Matt Renshaw’s career-best 190 in the first innings. Australia had slipped to 124 for six before Renshaw rebuilt the innings with Pat Cummins, who made 43, and Nathan Lyon, who added 27 in a 134-run ninth-wicket partnership. The stand was Australia’s second-highest for the ninth wicket in Test cricket and carried the visitors to 390.
The hosts’ chase began steadily, with Aiden Markram and David Bedingham adding 84 for the second wicket, but Australia kept creating pressure through pace, spin and close catching. Markram made 69 not out in the second innings, while Bedingham scored 46, yet South Africa could not sustain partnerships after reaching 154 for four.
Australia’s second innings supplied the decisive advantage. Renshaw followed his first-innings hundred with 82, and Nic Maddinson made 48 as the visitors reached 314 for six before declaring. South Africa’s lower order was then exposed to a target that required sustained batting across the final day.
Josh Hazlewood finished with six wickets for 49 runs, the best figures of his Test career, while Renshaw also contributed with the ball by taking two wickets for 27. Alex Carey’s one-handed catch to remove Wiaan Mulder was among the key moments of the closing resistance, and Hazlewood eventually completed the result by helping dismantle the South African tail.
The teams will now move to the next match with Australia holding the series lead. South Africa’s response in Durban was limited by the failure of several batters to turn starts into substantial scores, while Australia recovered from its early first-innings collapse through Renshaw’s long stay and a collective bowling performance.