Australia Thrash Proteas by 214 Runs as Hazlewood Takes Six in Durban Test

Australia defeated South Africa by 214 runs in the first Test at Kingsmead on Tuesday, 13 October, with Josh Hazlewood taking a career-best 6/49 as the Proteas were dismissed for 206. The visitors lead the three-match series 1–0.

Aiden Markram fought through 237 deliveries for his 75, but Australia broke South Africa’s resistance after lunch. Hazlewood removed Marco Jansen, Simon Harmer and Anrich Nortje in the closing stages, while Mitchell Starc ended Markram’s innings. The final four wickets fell for just five runs.

How Australia built the win

The opening match of the South Africa vs Australia Test series was decided by the visitors’ ability to turn a first-innings advantage into sustained pressure. Australia’s 390 gave them a 106-run lead after South Africa replied with 284. Their second innings then pushed the winning target to 421.

The final scores show how much ground the Proteas had to make up:

Australia’s declaration left South Africa facing a chase beyond the existing men’s Test record. By stumps on day four, the hosts were 102/4. Survival was already the more realistic task when play resumed on Tuesday.

Hazlewood finishes the job

Markram helped South Africa reach lunch at 166/6, keeping the possibility of a draw alive. Jansen’s 35 then provided useful support, but the second new ball gave Australia the opening they needed.

Hazlewood bowled Jansen with a delivery that moved back through his defence, then had Harmer caught behind without scoring. Starc dismissed Markram after a successful review, before Hazlewood took the final wicket when Nortje was caught by Nathan Lyon.

Cricket Australia’s day-five coverage confirmed Hazlewood’s career-best finish. His six wickets made him the decisive bowler in the chase, rewarding an attack that kept creating chances even when South Africa’s resistance slowed the match.

Markram gives the Proteas something to build on

Markram’s 75 was the clearest positive in South Africa’s second innings. The score alone doesn’t capture the work behind it: he occupied the crease for 237 balls while wickets fell around him, giving the Proteas a chance to extend the contest deep into the final day.

That effort matters ahead of the second Test. South Africa have evidence that an established batter can absorb this attack’s pressure. The problem is building enough support around that innings to turn resistance into a competitive team total. Finishing with 284 and 206 left too much work for individual players.

Renshaw makes the difference with bat and ball

Matt Renshaw’s contribution stretched across both Australian innings. His 190 laid the foundation for the first-innings total, and his 82 helped Australia accelerate towards their declaration. He finished with 272 match runs.

Cricket Australia’s day-four report highlighted his control against South Africa’s spinners. Australia reached 314 in 58 overs, making the Proteas defend the scoreboard as well as search for wickets.

Renshaw also claimed his maiden Test wicket by dismissing Temba Bavuma. For South Africa, his batting creates a specific challenge for the next match: finding a way to contain him without allowing the rest of Australia’s order to dictate the scoring rate.

South Africa face a quick turnaround

The second Test begins at St George’s Park in Gqeberha on Sunday, 18 October, with play scheduled to start at 10:00 SAST. The third Test follows at Newlands in Cape Town from 27 October.

South Africa must win both remaining matches to take the series. Their selection discussion should centre on the balance between taking 20 wickets and strengthening the batting. Any changes still need confirmation; a heavy defeat alone doesn’t tell us which players will be replaced.

The Betting Read

Australia’s win strengthens their case in the remaining series markets. They have a lead to protect, a batter who produced substantial runs in both innings and a bowling attack that finished the match. South Africa now need a response quickly.

That gives Australia a stronger cricketing position, but the price still decides whether a bet offers value. A dominant win can be fully reflected in the next price, so compare the odds with your assessment of the match. Our cricket betting guide explains the difference between match, series and player markets.

Renshaw’s form makes him worth assessing in run-scoring markets, while Hazlewood’s performance puts him firmly in the wicket-taking discussion. Neither selection should be judged on Durban alone. Gqeberha’s pitch, the confirmed teams and each market’s settlement rules will shape the next decision.

Use our sports betting guide to compare the same market across bookmakers. Australia have earned greater confidence through this performance; South Africa’s route back depends on longer partnerships and a more effective answer to Renshaw. The next team announcements will tell us how the Proteas intend to respond.

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