Australia completed a 214-run victory over South Africa in the first Test in Durban, ending the Proteas' 12-match unbeaten run. The result leaves the world champions questioning their form at the start of a busy stretch that includes England's visit over Christmas.
Proteas coach Shukri Conrad said he would like to see more fight from his side. "I don't know if it is alarming [but] it is concerning," he said. South Africa reached the 2025 World Test Championship final at Lord's after playing only 12 Tests, and mitigating factors include this being their first Test in almost a year, with most batters having played just one domestic red-ball match to prepare.
The batting drew the sharpest criticism. Tristan Stubbs and Ryan Rickelton have excelled in white-ball cricket, but their Test centuries came against Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Pakistan, and both were dismissed playing loose strokes in this match. Wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne lasted only three balls. Aiden Markram offered a defiant 75 in the fourth innings, batting for almost six hours, but it was not enough to save the match.
Captain Temba Bavuma also came under scrutiny, as the game drifted on day two while Australia extended their total from 124-6 to 390 not out. Matt Renshaw scored 190 for Australia, and Josh Hazlewood took career-best figures of 6-49 to break South Africa's resistance. Australia lead the three-match series 1-0.
Source: BBC Sport · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing