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Australia delivered an impressive all-round performance to defeat South Africa in the first Test at Kingsmead in Durban on Tuesday, October 13. The visitors remained in control for most of the contest, using a strong first-innings total and disciplined bowling to put the hosts under pressure.
After winning the toss and choosing to bat, Australia scored 390 in their first innings. South Africa managed 284 in reply, giving the visitors a valuable 106-run lead. Australia then declared at 314/6 in their second innings to set the hosts a target of 421. South Africa struggled to mount a successful chase and were bowled out for 206, handing Australia a 214-run victory and a 1-0 lead in the series.
Matt Renshaw shines with the bat in Durban Test
Matt Renshaw played a crucial role in Australia’s victory with outstanding contributions in both innings. The left-handed batter scored 190 off 397 deliveries in the first innings, holding the Australian innings together after the team lost early wickets. His patient knock helped the visitors post a competitive total and establish the foundation for their victory.
Renshaw continued his fine form in the second innings, scoring a quickfire 82 off 99 balls. Nic Maddinson also made an impact with an aggressive 48 off 38 deliveries as Australia accelerated before declaring. Renshaw’s performance earned him the Player of the Match award, while he also claimed his maiden Test wicket by dismissing South African captain Temba Bavuma.
South Africa had their moments, with Aiden Markram scoring 75 in the first innings and David Bedingham contributing 49. However, the hosts could not overcome Australia’s first-innings advantage. Wiaan Mulder impressed with the ball, taking four wickets for 68 runs in Australia’s first innings, but his efforts were not enough to turn the match around.
Josh Hazlewood leads Australia’s charge on Day 5
South Africa resumed the final day needing a major effort to chase down the target. Markram and Mulder offered stubborn resistance for nearly two hours, attempting to frustrate the Australian bowlers and keep the hosts’ hopes alive. Josh Hazlewood eventually broke through by dismissing Mulder, triggering a collapse in the lower order. The Australian fast bowler finished with figures of 6/49 as South Africa were dismissed for 206 in the second session.
Pat Cummins had also contributed with three wickets in the first innings, while Steve Smith created history by taking his 223rd career outfield catch to set a new Test record. Australia’s victory gave them a strong start to the three-match series, with Renshaw’s batting and Hazlewood’s bowling proving decisive. The commanding result also left South Africa with plenty to address ahead of the second Test.
Also SA vs AUS [WATCH]: Pat Cummins smashes three sixes in an over against Simon Harmer in 1st Test
Here’s how fans reacted:
Australia won the 1st Test and take a 1-0 lead 💥#AustraliaCricketTeam #SAvAUS pic.twitter.com/vbDqL0jzTx
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) October 13, 2026
🚨 HISTORY HAS BEEN WRITTEN BY PAT CUMMINS AND HIS BOYS IN DURBAN. 🚨
– Australia hand Temba Bavuma his first ever Test defeat as the captain. 🤯 pic.twitter.com/yEZMirHUz3
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) October 13, 2026
8 wickets for Josh Hazlewood. ✅
4 wickets for Pat Cummins. ✅
3 wickets for Mitchell Starc. ✅AUSTRALIAN PACE TRIO 🥶 What a performance, they are here for legacy and redemption. pic.twitter.com/sGiCgwB6ZT
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) October 13, 2026
🚨 HISTORY BY PAT CUMMINS & AUSTRALIA 🔥
– THE STREAK ENDS FOR CAPTAIN TEMBA BAVUMA, he has lost first match as Test Captain.
Australia lead the series, one more win for the historic series victory in South Africa. pic.twitter.com/wTxBXBP0Lq
— Muasharaf Parvaiz (@MuasharafP) October 13, 2026
Two Tests after losing to Bangladesh in Darwin, Australia knocks off South Africa in Durban. All perfectly normal stuff.
Great win, lads 🇦🇺 #SAvAUS
— Dan 🦙 (@dodgyllama) October 13, 2026
The World Test Championship is fine, but I do not see any teams other than Australia, South Africa, and India competing in the finals. There may occasionally be New Zealand or, by mistake, England, but apart from them, I do not see anyone else making it. Also, I do not see anyone…
— Biswajit 📚 🖊️ 👓 (@biswa_1211) October 13, 2026
AUSTRALIA WIN BY 214 RUNS
Clinical from the Aussies at Kingsmead!
First home defeat for South Africa after 4 straight wins since Nov 2024
Australia’s 4th successive Test win at Kingsmead since 2006— Fakhar (@fkrharral) October 13, 2026
🇦🇺 5-wicket haul in Australia
🇿🇦 5-wicket haul in South Africa
🏴 5-wicket haul in England
🇮🇳 5-wicket haul in India
🇳🇿 5-wicket haul in New Zealand
🌴 5-wicket haul in West IndiesJOSH HAZLEWOOD IS CONQUERING THE WORLD. 🌍🔥
Pure class, ultimate consistency, and unrelenting… pic.twitter.com/Y4Ac2HRfnD
— Hemant Bhavsar (@hemantbhavsar86) October 13, 2026
2025-27 WTC POINT TABLE.!!🔥
– Pat Cummins & Australia again are coming WTC finals.
– Temba Bavuma & South Africa at No. 3 🥶 pic.twitter.com/a89WdJLEAj
— MANU (@IMManu_14) October 13, 2026
Australia win the first test by 214 runs. They outplayed South Africa in this test in all departments. Aussies with a thumping win! Lots of work for the Proteas to do for the remainder of the series. #SAVAUS
— Safwaan Rawat (@Saffy_29) October 13, 2026
Australia 🇦🇺 decimated South Africa 🇿🇦 in the first test.
— Kuldeep Sisodia (@kulshows) October 13, 2026
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