For almost six hours on Tuesday, Aiden Markram gave South Africa a reason to believe the impossible draw was on. Then the new ball arrived, and the end came quickly. The Proteas Australia first Test result is a 214-run defeat at Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium, the Proteas bowled out for 206 midway through the afternoon session.
Josh Hazlewood finished with 6/49, the best innings figures of his Test career. Australia lead the three-match series 1-0, and South Africa now have four days to regroup before Gqeberha.
How the Proteas Australia first Test result was decided
South Africa resumed on 102/4, still 319 short, with survival the only sensible target. Our day-four report has how they got there.
For most of the morning, the plan worked. South Africa added only 64 runs in the morning session, which was the point: time mattered, runs did not. Markram and Wiaan Mulder put on 69 together for the fifth wicket, and Mulder faced 110 balls for his 29. That is exactly the kind of innings a final-day rearguard needs.
Then the morning turned. Hazlewood found Mulder’s edge, and Alex Carey took the catch behind the stumps. Moments later, Matt Renshaw, bowling his part-time spin, had Kyle Verreynne caught by Steve Smith at first slip for 1. South Africa went to lunch on 166/6, with the draw suddenly a long way off.
The new ball does the rest
Marco Jansen came out swinging after the break and made 35 from 54 balls. It was brave and it was brief. Once Australia took the new ball, Hazlewood removed Jansen and Simon Harmer in the same over, Jansen bowled and Harmer caught behind.
Markram was still there, and while he was, there was hope. It ended when Mitchell Starc drew an inside edge through to Carey. The umpire said not out, Australia reviewed, and the decision was overturned. Markram walked off for 75 from 237 balls, an innings of real courage that deserved a better ending. Anrich Nortje holed out off Hazlewood soon after, and it was over.
| Score | |
|---|---|
| Australia, first innings | 390 |
| South Africa, first innings | 284 |
| Australia, second innings | 314/6 declared |
| South Africa, second innings | 206 all out |
| Result | Australia won by 214 runs |
| Best bowling, final innings | Josh Hazlewood 6/49 |
| Player of the match | Matt Renshaw |
Renshaw’s Test, and a first for Bavuma
Renshaw was the player of the match, and it is hard to argue. He made 190 in the first innings and 82 in the second, then took the first two wickets of his Test career in South Africa’s second innings, Bavuma on Monday and Verreynne on Tuesday.
For Temba Bavuma, it was a new and unwelcome feeling. Gulf News and CricketAddictor both report that this was his first defeat as South Africa’s Test captain, after 11 wins and a draw. He made 1 in the second innings, on Monday.
What the Kingsmead defeat changes
The damage reaches beyond Durban. Wisden’s updated World Test Championship table has South Africa slipping to third on 60.00 percent of the points available, with Australia top on 81.82. Our ScoreLine Explains on the World Test Championship sets out what each result in this series is worth.
Our first Test preview framed this match as the first Test between the two 2025 finalists since Lord’s, with points on the line from the first ball. Australia have struck first. For how the five days began on Friday, see our day-one report.
The second Test starts at St George’s Park in Gqeberha on Sunday 18 October. It is now a match the Proteas cannot afford to lose.