Breetzke's 112 and Maharaj's 4-20 hand South Africa 67-run win over Australia in 1st ODI
Synopsis
South Africa handed ICC World Cup champions Australia a 67-run hammering in the Durban ODI opener — and the script couldn't have been more emphatic. Breetzke's century anchored the total, Jansen's 75 off 59 added the firepower, and then Maharaj's 4-20 turned a dangerous chase into a collapse. For the Proteas, already World Test Champions, this is a clear statement that they mean business in white-ball cricket too.
Key Takeaways
South Africa beat Australia by 67 runs in the 1st ODI at Kingsmead, Durban on 24 September 2026 .
Matthew Breetzke top-scored with 112 — his second ODI century — rescuing South Africa from 29/2 .
Marco Jansen smashed a quickfire 75 off 59 balls to push South Africa to 297/8 in 50 overs.
Keshav Maharaj was the wrecker-in-chief with 4-20 , dismantling Australia's middle order after Mitchell Marsh's blazing 60 off 36 balls gave the tourists an early foothold.
Australia were bowled out for 230 in 31.2 overs , despite contributions from Renshaw (44) , Connolly (38) , and Head (36) .
The series, a first bilateral ODI meeting since the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 , continues with the second ODI.
South Africa launched their home season with a commanding 67-run victory over ICC Men's Cricket World Cup champions Australia in the first of three ODIs at Kingsmead, Durban, on Thursday, 24 September 2026. The Temba Bavuma-led Proteas, who also hold the World Test Championship title, posted 297/8 before dismissing Australia for 230 in 31.2 overs — a result that avenges the two sides' last ODI encounter at the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023, which Australia won.
Breetzke and Jansen Rebuild South Africa's Innings
Sent in to bat after Mitchell Marsh won the toss, South Africa found themselves in early trouble at 29/2 — Josh Hazlewood having removed the first wicket and Nathan Ellis dismissing Quinton de Kock for 18 with a first-ball delivery in the eighth over. Matthew Breetzke walked in at that point and over the next three hours blended positive intent with precise gap-finding to register his second ODI century, finishing on a composed 112.
Despite useful contributions from Bavuma (30) and Ryan Rickelton (27), Australia's disciplined bowling kept the pressure on through regular breakthroughs. The decisive partnership came when Breetzke found a willing aggressor in Marco Jansen, who counter-attacked with a blistering 75 off 59 balls to push South Africa toward 300. The hosts ultimately fell three short, finishing on 297/8. Ellis was Australia's standout with 3-57, while leg-spinner Adam Zampa chipped in with 2-50.
Marsh Blazes Early, But Spinners Extinguish Australia
Australia's chase began explosively, with Mitchell Marsh racing to 60 off just 36 balls — the tourists reaching 90/1 inside the first 10 overs. Marsh's dismissal, at the hands of Keshav Maharaj, proved the turning point. Bavuma read the surface astutely and turned to his spinners, who dismantled the middle and lower order.
Maharaj was devastating, returning career-defining figures of 4-20, while left-arm spinner Bjorn Fortuin added 2-34. Despite rear-guard efforts from Travis Head (36), Cooper Connolly (38), and Matt Renshaw (44), Australia collapsed from their promising opening position and were bundled out for 230 in 31.2 overs.
Why This Result Matters
This is the first bilateral ODI meeting between the two sides since Australia beat South Africa en route to their ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 title. For the Proteas, the win signals serious intent in the format — they have now added ODI authority to their Test Championship pedigree under Bavuma. Notably, the pitch rewarded intelligent captaincy: Bavuma's decision to deploy spinners in a chase that began at run-a-ball pace proved decisive.
Scorecard Summary
South Africa 297/8 in 50 overs (Matthew Breetzke 112, Marco Jansen 75, Temba Bavuma 30; Nathan Ellis 3-57, Adam Zampa 2-50) beat Australia 230 all out in 31.2 overs (Mitchell Marsh 60, Matt Renshaw 44, Cooper Connolly 38, Travis Head 36; Keshav Maharaj 4-20, Bjorn Fortuin 2-34, Corbin Bosch 2-67) by 67 runs. The second ODI in the three-match series is next up, with South Africa looking to build on this strong start.
Point of View
He brought on Maharaj and Fortuin at precisely the right moment, effectively converting what looked like a gettable 298 into a trap. For a South Africa side that has historically been inconsistent in bilateral ODIs, this kind of composed, multi-dimensional win — batting depth, lower-order hitting, and bowling variety — suggests genuine growth. Australia, for their part, will worry about their dependence on Marsh's explosiveness; when he goes early, the middle order lacks someone to recalibrate the innings.
NationPress
25 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the result of the 1st ODI between South Africa and Australia in Durban?
South Africa beat Australia by 67 runs in the 1st ODI at Kingsmead, Durban on 24 September 2026. South Africa posted 297/8 in 50 overs, then bowled Australia out for 230 in 31.2 overs.
How did Matthew Breetzke perform in the Durban ODI?
Matthew Breetzke scored 112 — his second ODI century — coming in at 29/2 and anchoring South Africa's innings over nearly three hours. His composed knock, blending aggression with gap-finding, was the foundation of South Africa's competitive total of 297/8.
Who was the best bowler for South Africa against Australia?
Keshav Maharaj was the standout bowler, claiming 4 wickets for just 20 runs. He dismissed Mitchell Marsh at the crucial moment and then worked through Australia's middle order alongside Bjorn Fortuin, who took 2-34.
How did Mitchell Marsh perform for Australia in the chase?
Mitchell Marsh was electric with the bat, hitting 60 off just 36 balls and taking Australia to 90/1 inside 10 overs. However, his dismissal by Keshav Maharaj proved the turning point, after which Australia's innings collapsed against spin.
When and where is the 2nd ODI between South Africa and Australia?
The second match of the three-ODI series between South Africa and Australia is the next fixture following the Proteas' 67-run win in the 1st ODI at Kingsmead, Durban. The exact date and venue for the 2nd ODI were not confirmed in available reports.
