South Africa produced a strong recovery after losing early wickets in the first ODI against Australia at Kingsmead in Durban. After Australia won the toss and chose to bowl, the hosts were reduced to 14/2 before Matthew Breetzke and Temba Bavuma steadied the innings. Breetzke then anchored the middle overs before Marco Jansen provided the late acceleration.

Australia’s decision to bowl first initially paid off, with Tony de Zorzi dismissed for a seven-ball duck and Quinton de Kock falling for 14 off 18 balls. Bavuma added 30 from 48 deliveries before Adam Zampa dismissed him, but Breetzke continued to hold the innings together.

Matthew Breetzke scores a brilliant century against Australia

Breetzke showed excellent composure as he negotiated Australia’s disciplined bowling attack and built his innings through the middle overs. He found useful support from Bavuma and later Ryan Rickelton, who contributed 27 off 26 balls. The South African batter continued to score despite wickets falling at the other end and eventually reached a well-deserved century.

Breetzke finished with an impressive 112 off 106 deliveries, hitting 14 fours and two sixes. His innings proved crucial in giving South Africa a platform for a strong finish. Breetzke’s knock also came against an experienced Australian attack featuring Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Ellis and Adam Zampa.

Marco Jansen powers South Africa to 297/8

After Breetzke was dismissed by Zampa, Jansen took over the responsibility of accelerating the innings. The left-hander attacked Australia’s bowlers in the final overs and turned South Africa’s steady progress into a formidable total. Jansen smashed 75 off 59 balls, including six fours and four sixes, before Ellis dismissed him late in the innings.

His aggressive knock ensured South Africa finished strongly despite David Miller making only nine off 25 deliveries. South Africa eventually posted 297/8 from their 50 overs, setting Australia a target of 296. Ellis was Australia’s most successful bowler with 3/57, while Zampa claimed 2/50 and Hazlewood finished with 1/50.

Also SA vs AUS [WATCH]: Josh Inglis takes sharp catch to dismiss Quinton de Kock in 1st ODI

Here’s how fans reacted:

Second ODI hundred for Matthew Breetzke 💯💥#MatthewBreetzke #SAvAUS pic.twitter.com/cX57im1XAD

— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) September 24, 2026

A second ODI ton from Matthew Breetzke guides South Africa against Australia in Durban 👊

📝: https://t.co/rCRhWybywD pic.twitter.com/qjxWX6wh1n

— ICC (@ICC) September 24, 2026

BREETZKE! TAKE A BOW! 💯👏

Matthew Breetzke brings up a magnificent century for #TheProteas! 🇿🇦🏏

A massive moment. A brilliant innings 💪#Unbreakable pic.twitter.com/ofuTd3Wy6E

— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) September 24, 2026

🚨 HUNDRED BY MATTHEW BREETZKE AGAINST AUSTRALIA. 🚨

– A dream start to his ODI career, what a knock! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/eAf0Un2ds4

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) September 24, 2026

Fifty vs Australia ✅
Fifty vs Australia ✅
Hundred vs Australia ✅

3 Games, 2 Fifties, 1 Hundred – Matthew Breetzke is on the charge against Australia, he is a run machine in ODI, What an incredible batter for South Africa 😍 pic.twitter.com/91rrdLUUGK

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) September 24, 2026

Congratulations Matthew Breetzke ❤️❤️👏

— Tshemedi (@RealTshemedi2) September 24, 2026

Matthew Paul Breetzke! Thats the tweet #SAvAUS

— Sango Dipa (@Mr_Dipa) September 24, 2026

Matthew Breetzke you biscuit 🔥

He brings up his 2nd ODI century

A brilliant knock keeping this innings together at a good rate pic.twitter.com/jBJZLZNl1Y

— Werner (@Werries_) September 24, 2026

A century built on pure class and composure, with every shot looking like it belonged in a textbook. Effortless timing, beautiful placement and absolutely no panic. Matthew Breetzke is not the next big thing. He is the big thing already. 👏👏 pic.twitter.com/KvMX0yXgKn

— Faiz Fazel (@theFaizFazel) September 24, 2026

Fifty vs Australia ✅
Fifty vs Australia ✅
Hundred vs Australia ✅
3 Games. 2 Fifties. 1 Hundred.

Matthew Breetzke has treated the Australian bowling attack like a personal net session! 🇿🇦🔥

Absolute run-machine mode unlocked for the Proteas.

Elite consistency! 🫡 pic.twitter.com/T8mShdaq1w

— Hemant Bhavsar (@hemantbhavsar86) September 24, 2026

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