South Africa opened their home ODI season with a convincing 67-run victory over ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup champions Australia at Kingsmead. Matthew Breetzke’s second ODI century and Marco Jansen’s aggressive 75 powered the Proteas to 297/8 before Keshav Maharaj’s four-wicket haul helped bowl Australia out for 230.
Durban, Sept 2026 : South Africa began their home season on a winning note, defeating Australia by 67 runs in the first of their three-match ODI series at Kingsmead on Thursday.
The victory gave the Temba Bavuma-led Proteas a strong start against the reigning ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup champions in their first ODI meeting since Australia defeated South Africa at the 2023 World Cup.
After Australian captain Mitchell Marsh won the toss and opted to field, South Africa suffered an early setback when Josh Hazlewood dismissed an opener. Nathan Ellis then struck with his first ball of the spell to remove Quinton de Kock for 18, leaving the hosts struggling at 29/2 in the eighth over.
Matthew Breetzke responded with a composed and attacking innings. The right-hander combined positive strokeplay with an ability to find gaps and batted for around three hours to register his second ODI century.
Breetzke received support from Bavuma, who made 30, and Ryan Rickelton, who contributed 27, but Australia kept applying pressure through regular wickets.
The momentum shifted decisively when Breetzke found an aggressive partner in Marco Jansen. The all-rounder smashed 75 from just 59 deliveries, helping South Africa accelerate towards the 300-run mark.
Jansen’s dismissal and late wickets prevented South Africa from reaching the 300 mark, but the hosts still posted a formidable 297/8 in their 50 overs. Ellis was Australia’s most successful bowler with 3/57, while Adam Zampa claimed 2/50.
Australia’s chase began explosively, with Marsh taking the attack to the South African bowlers. He raced to 60 from only 36 balls before Keshav Maharaj dismissed him with the total on 90 in the 10th over.
Marsh’s departure proved a turning point. South Africa captain Bavuma quickly recognised the nature of the pitch and introduced spin to put pressure on Australia’s middle order.
Maharaj led the attack brilliantly, finishing with 4/20, while Bjorn Fortuin claimed 2/34. Together, the spinners accounted for six Australian wickets.
Australia’s middle and lower order attempted to keep the chase alive. Travis Head made 36, Cooper Connolly scored 38 and Matt Renshaw top-scored with 44. However, none could reproduce the attacking tempo generated by Marsh at the beginning of the innings.
The Australian batting line-up subsequently collapsed, with the visitors bowled out for 230 in 31.2 overs.
The result handed South Africa a 1-0 lead in the three-match series and provided the Proteas with an encouraging start to their home campaign.
Brief scores:
South Africa: 297/8 in 50 overs — Matthew Breetzke 112, Marco Jansen 75, Temba Bavuma 30; Nathan Ellis 3/57, Adam Zampa 2/50.
Australia: 230 all out in 31.2 overs — Matt Renshaw 44, Cooper Connolly 38, Travis Head 36, Mitchell Marsh 60; Keshav Maharaj 4/20, Bjorn Fortuin 2/34, Corbin Bosch 2/67.
South Africa won by 67 runs.
