South Africa’s 12-match unbeaten run ended with a defeat by Australia in Durban, and Josh Hazlewood led the visitors’ victory with career-best figures of 6-49. He dismissed Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Simon Harmer and Anrich Nortje on the final day, beating his previous best of 6-67 against India in 2017. Australia now lead the three-match series 1-0.
The world champions resisted until an hour into the afternoon session on the final day. Aiden Markram fought admirably for 237 deliveries, but Australia eventually broke down any lingering resistance. The scores were Australia 390 and 314-6 declared, and South Africa 284 and 206.
“I would like to see more fight,” said Proteas coach Shukri Conrad. “I don’t know if it is alarming [but] it is concerning.”
South Africa now face a busy few months, including a visit from England over Christmas. So should they be worried about their form?
Rusty batters or something more?
South Africa reached the 2025 World Test Championship final at Lord’s, and they did so having played only 12 Tests, the fewest of any team. They qualified after drawing at home against India and losing in New Zealand, then won against West Indies, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
There is some mitigation for this defeat. It was their first Test in almost a year, and most of their batters had played only one domestic red-ball match in preparation. Australia also came off an eight-month break of their own and lost to Bangladesh at home, a point Conrad was keen to make. South Africa’s win over Australia last summer and their 2-0 series success in India also show they can beat the world’s best teams.
Even so, this Test reinforced a worrying trend among the batters. Tristan Stubbs and Ryan Rickelton are fine white-ball players, but Stubbs’ two Test centuries came against Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, while Rickelton’s came against Sri Lanka and Pakistan. In the first innings, Stubbs top-edged a pull to fine leg two overs after Mulder was bounced out, and in the second innings he played a loose drive at a ball he should have left. Rickelton drove and edged at a wide ball late on day two, then nicked a pull in the fourth over on day four.
Mulder scored an unbeaten 367 against Zimbabwe last year, but Bangladesh are the only other side against whom he averages more than 30. His 110-ball stay for 29 on the final day, before he was strangled down the leg side, was at least encouraging. Wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne, by contrast, lasted only three balls before nudging Matt Renshaw’s part-time spin to slip. His Test average of 30.14 falls to 28 against Australia and 15 against both England and India.
Conrad said that “a few of the guys need to step up”.
“The real disappointment was the batting in the first dig on a really good wicket,” Conrad said. “Yes, a world-class attack, but quite a few guys getting starts and not kicking on.”
Markram and Nortje provide the positives
Markram’s defiant knock in the fourth innings was the clearest positive for the Proteas. He batted for almost six hours for 75 runs before edging Mitchell Starc through to Alex Carey in the afternoon session. David Bedingham also looked comfortable at number three, although he was among those who failed to make the most of their starts, falling after reaching 49 and 46.
The defeat was not down to the batters alone. Bavuma, who tasted defeat as captain for the first time in this match, let the game drift on day two as Australia extended their score from 124-6 to 390 not out. Renshaw played brilliantly for his 190 but faced little challenge as he casually farmed the strike and protected Nathan Lyon during their ninth-wicket stand of 134.
Judging South Africa’s bowlers against Australia’s attack, the most successful quartet in Test cricket history, is hardly fair. Still, the Proteas bowlers lacked the relentless pressure their opponents applied. Nortje was impressive, taking four wickets in his first Test since March 2023. His last spell was quicker than his first, and he hit Steve Smith on the helmet with a bouncer on day four.
Mulder offered little after his new-ball spells, and Marco Jansen was quiet after dismissing Nic Maddinson and Steve Smith on day one. The return from injury of premier quick Kagiso Rabada, who was seen bowling at lunch on day five, cannot come soon enough. Spinners Simon Harmer and Keshav Maharaj also drew Conrad’s criticism.
“Anrich’s return was phenomenal and really pleasing,” Conrad said. “If we were brutally honest, our spinners were not as sharp as they normally are.”
The second Test starts in only five days’ time in Gqeberha, and South Africa will hope this defeat has shaken off the rust. If it has not, the situation will be far more concerning.