Josh Hazlewood took career-best figures of 6-49 as Australia beat South Africa in Durban to go 1-0 up in the three-match series. The defeat ended South Africa’s 12-match unbeaten run. On the final day, Hazlewood dismissed Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Simon Harmer and Anrich Nortje, bettering his previous best of 6-67 against India in 2017.
The scores were Australia 390 and 314-6 declared, and South Africa 284 and 206. Aiden Markram top-scored for the Proteas with 75 in the second innings, and Matt Renshaw made 82 in the first innings for Australia.
South Africa were outclassed across the five days, so the question is whether they were simply rusty or whether there is more to read into the performance. The world champions held on until an hour into the afternoon session on the final day. Markram fought admirably, facing 237 deliveries, but Australia eventually broke through.
“I would like to see more fight,” said Proteas coach Shukri Conrad. “I don’t know if it is alarming [but] it is concerning.”
South Africa now face an eye-catching few months, which includes the visit of England over Christmas. Should they be worried?
Rusty batters or something more?
South Africa’s run to the 2025 World Test Championship final at Lord’s drew plenty of attention. They played only 12 Tests, the fewest of any team, and qualified after drawing at home against India and losing in New Zealand. They then beat West Indies, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
There is some mitigation for this defeat. It was their first Test in almost a year, and most of their batters had played only one domestic red-ball match to prepare. Australia also came off an eight-month break of their own and lost to Bangladesh in home conditions, a point Conrad was keen to make. Last summer’s win over Australia and a 2-0 success in India show that South Africa can beat the world’s best teams.
However, this Test reinforced a worrying trend among the Proteas batters. Tristan Stubbs and Ryan Rickelton are fine white-ball players, but Stubbs’ two Test centuries came against Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, and Rickelton’s came against Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
In the first innings, Stubbs top-edged a pull to fine leg two overs after Mulder had been bounced out. In the second, he played a loose drive at a wide ball. Rickelton drove and edged at a wide ball late on day two, then nicked a pull through the slips in the fourth over of day four.
Mulder scored 367 not out against Zimbabwe last year, but Bangladesh are the only other side against whom he averages more than 30. His 110-ball stay for 29 on the final day, before he was strangled down the leg side, was at least encouraging.
Wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne lasted only three balls, nudging Matt Renshaw’s part-time spin to slip. His Test average of 30.14 drops to 28 against Australia and 15 against both England and India.
Conrad said that “a few of the guys need to step up”.
“The real disappointment was the batting in the first dig on a really good wicket,” Conrad said. “Yes, a world-class attack, but quite a few guys getting starts and not kicking on.”
Markram and Nortje the positives
Markram’s defiant knock in the fourth innings was the main positive for the Proteas. He batted for almost six hours for his 75 runs before edging Mitchell Starc through to Alex Carey in the afternoon session. David Bedingham also looked comfortable at number three, although he was among those who failed to make the most of their starts, reaching 49 and 46 without going on.
The defeat was not solely the batters’ fault. Temba Bavuma, who tasted defeat as captain for the first time in this match, allowed the game to drift on day two, as Australia extended their score from 124-6 to 390 not out. Renshaw played brilliantly for his 190 but was not seriously challenged, as he casually farmed the strike and protected Nathan Lyon during their ninth-wicket stand of 134.
Judging South Africa’s bowlers against Australia’s fearsome attack, the most successful quartet Test cricket has seen, is hardly fair. Still, the Proteas bowlers lacked the relentless pressure of their opponents. Anrich Nortje was impressive, taking four wickets in his first Test since March 2023. His last spell was quicker than his first, and he hit Steve Smith on the helmet with a bouncer on day four.
Mulder offered little after his new-ball spells, and Marco Jansen was quiet after dismissing Nic Maddinson and Steve Smith on day one. The return from injury of premier quick Kagiso Rabada, who was seen bowling at lunch on day five, cannot come soon enough.
Conrad did not spare the spinners either. Simon Harmer and Keshav Maharaj were not as sharp as usual.
“Anrich’s return was phenomenal and really pleasing,” Conrad said. “If we were brutally honest, our spinners were not as sharp as they normally are.”
The second Test starts in only five days’ time in Gqeberha, and South Africa will hope this defeat has removed the rust. The alternative explanation would be far more concerning.