Hazlewood's 6-49 powers Australia to 214-run win over South Africa in 1st Test
Synopsis
Josh Hazlewood's 6-49 and Matt Renshaw's double-century heroics combined to hand Australia a dominant 214-run win in Durban — and ended Temba Bavuma's perfect record as Test captain. With the second Test in Gqeberha just days away, South Africa must find answers fast.
Key Takeaways
Australia defeated South Africa by 214 runs in the first Test at Kingsmead Stadium, Durban on 13 October 2026 .
Josh Hazlewood took 6 for 49 in the second innings — his 15th five-wicket haul in Test cricket.
Matt Renshaw starred with 190 in the first innings and 82 in the second, also claiming 2 for 39 with the ball.
South Africa were bowled out for 206 chasing 421 , unable to survive 90 overs for a draw.
The defeat ended Temba Bavuma's unbeaten record as Test captain — previously 11 wins and 1 draw from 12 matches.
The second Test begins in Gqeberha on 18 October , with Australia leading the series 1-0 .
Josh Hazlewood delivered a match-defining spell of 6 for 49 in the second innings as Australia crushed South Africa by 214 runs in the first Test at Kingsmead Stadium, Durban, on Tuesday, 13 October, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Chasing a daunting target of 421, the hosts were bowled out for 206 on the fifth and final day, unable to survive the required 90 overs for a draw.
Hazlewood Dismantles the Chase
South Africa resumed the final day at 102/4, still needing 319 runs to win. Aiden Markram, unbeaten on 45 overnight, provided the stiffest resistance, eventually making 75 off 237 balls — including his 14th Test half-century — before being dismissed by Mitchell Starc in the 86th over after edging a good-length delivery.
Wiaan Mulder and Markram raised a 69-run partnership to keep faint hopes alive, but Hazlewood ended it by trapping Mulder leg-before-wicket for 29. Kyle Verreynne was then dismissed for one, and Marco Jansen's 35-run cameo was ended when Hazlewood bowled him to complete his 15th five-wicket haul in Test cricket. Hazlewood wrapped up the innings in the 87th over by dismissing Anrich Nortje. Matt Renshaw chipped in with 2 for 39 with the ball to support Hazlewood's dominance.
Bavuma's Unbeaten Record as Captain Ends
The defeat shattered South African captain Temba Bavuma's remarkable unbeaten record as Test skipper. Bavuma had previously led South Africa in 12 Tests, winning 11 and drawing one — a run that made this loss all the more significant. This is the first time he has captained a losing Test side.
Renshaw's 190 Laid the Foundation
Australia's victory was built on Matt Renshaw's outstanding first-innings 190, which rescued the visitors from a precarious 124/6. The left-handed batter anchored a total of 390, with Mulder claiming four wickets for South Africa. Australia's bowlers then dismissed the hosts for 284, with Pat Cummins leading the attack on three wickets and Hazlewood, Starc, and Nathan Lyon taking two each. No South African batter reached a half-century in that innings.
Australia pressed their advantage in the second innings, declaring at 314/6. Renshaw followed up with 82, Nic Maddinson contributed 48, and Cummins provided a late flourish with an unbeaten 32 off just 12 balls. Nortje (2-56) and Keshav Maharaj (2-56) were the pick of South Africa's bowlers.
What's Next for the Series
South Africa now face the challenge of regrouping ahead of the second Test, scheduled to begin in Gqeberha on 18 October. With Bavuma's aura of invincibility as captain dispelled and the hosts' batting exposed across both innings, Australia will head into the next match with considerable momentum.
Brief scores: Australia 390 & 314/6 decl (Renshaw 82, Maddinson 48; Nortje 2-56, Maharaj 2-56) beat South Africa 284 & 206 all out in 86.5 overs (Markram 75, Bedingham 46; Hazlewood 6-49, Renshaw 2-39) by 214 runs.
Point of View
But the real story from Durban is Renshaw's emergence as a match-winner — a 190 that steadied a sinking ship at 124/6 is the kind of innings that reshapes a touring party's confidence. Bavuma's unblemished captaincy record was a significant psychological shield for South Africa; losing it at home, where they had looked impregnable, exposes a vulnerability their top order could not paper over across either innings. With Gqeberha next and no South African batter passing fifty in the first innings, the hosts face a structural batting question, not just a bad day at the office.
NationPress
13 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the result of the 1st Test between Australia and South Africa in Durban?
Australia beat South Africa by 214 runs in the first Test at Kingsmead Stadium, Durban, on 13 October 2026. South Africa were bowled out for 206 while chasing a target of 421, with Josh Hazlewood taking 6 for 49 in the second innings.
How did Josh Hazlewood perform in the Durban Test?
Hazlewood was the standout bowler of the match, claiming 6 for 49 in South Africa's second innings to earn Australia a comprehensive victory. It was his 15th five-wicket haul in Test cricket.
What is the significance of Temba Bavuma's record as Test captain?
The Durban defeat ended Temba Bavuma's unbeaten run as South Africa's Test captain. He had previously won 11 and drawn one of his 12 Tests as skipper — this was his first loss in charge.
What role did Matt Renshaw play in Australia's win?
Matt Renshaw was Australia's star performer across the match, scoring 190 in the first innings to rescue the side from 124/6 and adding 82 in the second innings. He also took 2 for 39 with the ball in South Africa's second innings.
When and where is the 2nd Test between South Africa and Australia?
The second Test in the three-match series is scheduled to begin on 18 October 2026 in Gqeberha. Australia head into the match with a 1-0 series lead after their comprehensive win in Durban.
