Hazlewood's six seals Australia's win over South Africa

The Cliff News | 14 October 2026

Josh Hazlewood delivered a masterful bowling display, taking six wickets to guide Australia to a comprehensive 214-run victory over South Africa in the first Test at Kingsmead. The match concluded on its fifth day, Tuesday, October 13, 2026.

Hazlewood's crucial breakthroughs, including twice dismantling promising partnerships, were instrumental in restricting the hosts. He finished with figures of six for 49, effectively sealing the series opener for the visitors.

Renshaw's Century Powers Australian Dominance

On the Australian side, Matt Renshaw was named Player of the Match for his exceptional 190 in the first innings. This century marked the end of a nearly ten-year wait for Renshaw's second Test hundred, highlighting his significant contribution to Australia's commanding total.

South Africa, set a challenging target of 421 runs to win, were ultimately bowled out for 206. This marked the first Test series between the two nations in South Africa since the controversial 2018 sandpaper scandal.

Cummins Praises Team's Resilience

Australian captain Pat Cummins expressed immense pride in his team's ability to recover from a precarious position on day one, where they were 124 for six. "It's a great way to kick off a series, particularly from the position we were on day one," Cummins stated.

He elaborated on the team's gritty performance, stating, "I think our standards were very high for the last three or four days." Cummins emphasised the team's determination to maintain their advantage once they gained the upper hand.

Bavuma Calls for Mental Improvement

South Africa skipper Temba Bavuma acknowledged Australia's superior experience and skill in navigating the match. "They showed their experience, they showed their skill to get themselves into a very competitive position," Bavuma commented, reflecting on his first loss in 13 Tests as captain.

Bavuma recognised the mental lapses that plagued his team. "I think a lot of the mistakes we made out there were mental," he added, speaking after South Africa's first Test in 11 months. He stressed the importance of learning from Australia's approach.

Markram's Solitary Fight

Opening batsman Aiden Markram provided the lone significant resistance for South Africa, batting for just under six hours and scoring 75. His defiance ended when he was caught behind off a Mitchell Starc delivery.

The Proteas' batting order collapsed in the final stages against the second new ball, with the last four wickets falling for a mere five runs in just 16 deliveries. Markram and Wiaan Mulder (29) had initially enjoyed a steady period at the crease, batting through the first 110 minutes of the day.