SA vs AUS 1st Test 2026: Renshaw 190, Australia Win by 214
Published on October 14, 2026
Summary Overview: Australia beat South Africa by 214 runs in the 1st Test at Kingsmead. Matt Renshaw hit 190 and 82, Josh Hazlewood took 6 for 49, and Australia lead the series 1-0.
190, 82 and a First Test Wicket: Renshaw's Dream Match Hands Bavuma His First Defeat as Captain
Who won the 1st Test?
Australia, by 214 runs on day five at Kingsmead, Durban. They lead the three-match series 1-0.
Who was Player of the Match?
Opener Matt Renshaw, who scored 190 and 82 and took 2 for 30, including his first Test wicket.
What was the turning point?
On day one, Australia were 124 for 6. Renshaw then added 266 runs with the lower order, including 134 with Nathan Lyon for the ninth wicket.
What is next?
The 2nd Test starts on Sunday, October 18 at St George's Park, Gqeberha (10:00 AM local, 1:30 PM IST, 4:00 AM ET).
Match Report: Australia Strike First Against the Champions
This was the first Test of a heavyweight series. South Africa are the reigning World Test Champions, and they were playing their first Test in 11 months. It was also their first home Test series against Australia since 2018.
For readers new to Test cricket: a Test match lasts up to five days, and each team bats twice. A team wins by runs when it bowls the other side out twice without them reaching the target. Australia won by 214 runs, which is a big margin.
Day 1 and 2: Renshaw Rescues Australia
Australia won the toss and batted, but South Africa's seamers were excellent. Wiaan Mulder (4 for 68) and Marco Jansen (3 for 68) had Australia on 124 for 6.
Matt Renshaw stood firm. He added 86 for the seventh wicket with captain Pat Cummins (43), then 134 for the ninth with Nathan Lyon, who made a gritty 27 off 92 balls. Renshaw batted for 397 balls and nearly eight hours, making 190, his second Test century and first for almost a decade.
Australia finished on 390. After the sixth wicket fell, the lower order added 266 runs.
Day 3: South Africa Fall Short
South Africa were well placed at times but never built a big partnership. David Bedingham (49) and Aiden Markram (37) got starts, and Simon Harmer (35 not out) and Keshav Maharaj (34) frustrated Australia late on.
South Africa were all out for 284, giving Australia a lead of 106. Pat Cummins took 3 for 54, and Steve Smith took four catches in the innings.
Day 4: Australia Push On
Australia scored quickly in their second innings. Nic Maddinson hit 48 off 38, Renshaw made 82 off 99, and Cummins smashed 32 off 12 balls with four sixes. Australia declared on 314 for 6, setting South Africa 421 to win.
Renshaw then had Temba Bavuma caught for 1 with his off-spin, his first Test wicket. South Africa closed day four on 102 for 4.
Day 5: Hazlewood Finishes It
Aiden Markram batted for almost six hours, making 75 off 237 balls, and Wiaan Mulder (29 off 110) stayed with him. Their resistance ended when Markram was caught behind off Mitchell Starc.
Josh Hazlewood then took over. With the second new ball, South Africa lost their last four wickets for five runs in 16 deliveries. Hazlewood finished with 6 for 49, and South Africa were all out for 206.
Turning Point: The Ninth-Wicket Stand
At 230 for 8 on day two, South Africa were close to bowling Australia out for a below-par total. Instead, Renshaw and Lyon added 134.
That partnership was worth more than runs. It took a big part of the second day away from South Africa's bowlers, and it made the difference between a close game and a commanding Australian lead. Without it, Australia's first-innings lead of 106 would not have existed.
"It's a great way to kick off a series, particularly from the position we were on day one," said Australia captain Pat Cummins.
South Africa captain Temba Bavuma, who suffered his first defeat in 13 Tests as captain, was honest about his side's performance. "I think a lot of the mistakes we made out there were mental," he said.
Stat Corner
Match Summary
| Team | 1st Innings | 2nd Innings | Total Runs |
| Australia | 390 (137.2 overs) | 314/6d (58.0 overs) | 704 |
| South Africa | 284 (78.0 overs) | 206 (86.5 overs) | 490 |
Result: Australia won by 214 runs. Player of the Match: Matt Renshaw.
Top Batters
| Batter | Team | 1st Innings | 2nd Innings | Total Runs |
| Matt Renshaw | Australia | 190 (397) | 82 (99) | 272 |
| Aiden Markram | South Africa | 37 (67) | 75 (237) | 112 |
| David Bedingham | South Africa | 49 (73) | 46 (68) | 95 |
| Pat Cummins | Australia | 43 (98) | 32* (12) | 75 |
| Marnus Labuschagne | Australia | 37 (58) | 37 (58) | 74 |
Top Bowlers
| Bowler | Team | Match Figures | Best Innings Figures |
| Josh Hazlewood | Australia | 8/103 | 6/49 |
| Pat Cummins | Australia | 4/88 | 3/54 |
| Wiaan Mulder | South Africa | 4/92 | 4/68 |
| Marco Jansen | South Africa | 4/113 | 3/68 |
| Anrich Nortje | South Africa | 4/144 | 2/56 |
| Mitchell Starc | Australia | 3/96 | 2/63 |
| Matt Renshaw | Australia | 2/30 | 2/30 |
Australia's First-Innings Recovery
| Wicket | Batting Partners | Partnership Runs | Individual Contributions |
| 7th | Matt Renshaw & Pat Cummins | 86 | Renshaw 41 | Cummins 43 |
| 8th | Matt Renshaw & Mitchell Starc | 20 | Renshaw 12 | Starc 8 |
| 9th | Matt Renshaw & Nathan Lyon | 134 | Renshaw 100 | Lyon 27 |
| 10th | Matt Renshaw & Josh Hazlewood | 26 | Renshaw 21 | Hazlewood 5 |
Players to Watch in the 2nd Test
Matt Renshaw: In the form of his life after a 272-run match, and now an occasional off-spin option too.
Josh Hazlewood: His accuracy with the new ball and the second new ball decided this match.
Aiden Markram: South Africa's best batter in Durban, with 112 runs and almost six hours of resistance on the final day.
Wiaan Mulder: The pick of South Africa's bowlers with 4 for 68, and a key all-rounder.
Kagiso Rabada: Missed the first Test with a hamstring injury. Bavuma hinted he is likely to be fit for Gqeberha, which would be a big boost.
Remaining Test Schedule (Local, IST and ET)
| Match | Dates | Venue | Local (SAST) | PKT | IST | ET |
| 2nd Test | Sun, Oct 18 – Thu, Oct 22 | St George's Park, Gqeberha | 10:00 AM | 1:00 PM | 1:30 PM | 4:00 AM |
| 3rd Test | Tue, Oct 27 – Sat, Oct 31 | Newlands, Cape Town | 10:00 AM | 1:00 PM | 1:30 PM | 4:00 AM |
Local time is South Africa Standard Time (SAST, UTC+2). IST is India Standard Time (UTC+5:30). ET is US Eastern Daylight Time (UTC-4). Every day's play starts on the same calendar date in all three zones. In Pakistan, play starts at 1:00 PM.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the 1st Test between South Africa and Australia in 2026?
Australia, by 214 runs at Kingsmead, Durban, to lead the three-match series 1-0.
Who was Player of the Match in Durban?
Matt Renshaw, for his 190 and 82, plus 2 for 30 with the ball.
Who took the most wickets in the match?
Josh Hazlewood, with 8 wickets, including 6 for 49 on the final day.
Does the series count towards the World Test Championship?
Yes. All three Tests are part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27.
When is the 2nd Test?
Sunday, October 18 to Thursday, October 22, 2026, at St George's Park, Gqeberha, starting at 10:00 AM local time (1:30 PM IST, 4:00 AM ET).
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