South Africa opened their home summer with a 67-run victory over Australia in the first ODI at Kingsmead in Durban, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Matthew Breetzke’s 112 and Marco Jansen’s 75 powered the Proteas to 297/8 before Keshav Maharaj produced a superb 4/20 as Australia were bowled out for 230 in 41.2 overs.

The series also provides both teams with an opportunity to continue building towards the 2027 Cricket World Cup, which will be hosted by South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe.

Significant rainfall in the lead-up to the match, combined with Durban’s humidity, left the Kingsmead surface looking soft underneath. With overcast conditions and moisture around, movement off the pitch and through the air was expected, particularly early in the day.

Australia won the toss and elected to field, and the decision initially paid off.

South Africa lost Tony de Zorzi for a seven-ball duck when he was caught by Matt Renshaw off Josh Hazlewood before Quinton de Kock fell for 14 off Nathan Ellis.

The Proteas were 29/2 after 7.1 overs and reached the end of the opening Powerplay on 40/2.

Breetzke Leads South Africa’s Recovery

Matthew Breetzke was tasked with rebuilding the innings from No. 4 and responded with a composed century that became the foundation of South Africa’s total.

Breetzke scored 112 from 106 balls, striking 14 fours and two sixes.

He initially focused on absorbing the pressure created by Australia’s seamers before becoming increasingly aggressive as his innings progressed. He reached his half-century from 50 deliveries and brought up his hundred from 100 balls.

Breetzke first combined with captain Temba Bavuma for a 54-run third-wicket partnership. Bavuma contributed 30 from 48 deliveries before being dismissed by Adam Zampa with South Africa 83/3.

Ryan Rickelton then made 27 from 26 balls, adding 42 with Breetzke before also falling to Zampa.

David Miller struggled to find his rhythm, scoring nine from 25 balls, and his dismissal left South Africa at 168/5 after 33.5 overs.

That brought Marco Jansen to the crease and changed the direction of the innings.

Breetzke and Jansen put together a 107-run sixth-wicket partnership, taking South Africa from 168/5 to 275/6.

Jansen provided the aggression South Africa needed, scoring 75 from 59 deliveries with seven fours and four sixes. He reached his half-century from 46 balls as the Proteas accelerated through the latter stages of the innings.

Breetzke eventually fell for 112 when he was run out by Cooper Connolly and Josh Inglis in the 48th over.

Ellis was Australia’s most successful bowler, taking 3/57 from his 10 overs, including the wickets of De Kock, Miller and Jansen. Zampa claimed 2/50, while Hazlewood finished with 1/50 from 10 overs.

South Africa scored 89 runs in the final 10 overs to finish on 297/8, setting Australia 298 to win.

Australia Race Out of the Blocks

Australia’s response could hardly have started more aggressively.

Captain Mitchell Marsh attacked from the outset, racing to his half-century from only 31 balls.

Marsh and Travis Head put on 90 for the opening wicket in just 9.2 overs, placing South Africa’s attack under considerable pressure.

Marsh eventually made 60 from 36 balls, striking five fours and six sixes, while Head contributed 36 from 37 deliveries.

Australia finished the opening Powerplay on 96/1 and appeared well placed in their pursuit of 298.

The momentum, however, began to shift as South Africa’s spinners took control.

Maharaj removed the dangerous Marsh, caught by Breetzke, for the first breakthrough before Jansen dismissed Head with Australia on 129.

Bjorn Fortuin then struck twice in quick succession. Josh Inglis was caught by Jansen for three before Cooper Connolly, who had made 38 from 42 balls, was caught by Miller.

Australia had slipped from 90/0 to 156/4.

Maharaj Takes Control

Maharaj continued to apply pressure through the middle overs.

Cameron Green was caught by Breetzke for five before Jack Edwards, on ODI debut, was caught by Jansen for five. Australia were suddenly 188/6 after 29.3 overs.

Matt Renshaw attempted to keep Australia’s chase alive, scoring 44 from 49 balls with six fours.

His innings ended through an excellent piece of fielding from Jansen, who took a one-handed diving catch off Gerald Coetzee to leave Australia 215/7.

From there, South Africa closed out the contest.

Corbin Bosch dismissed Mitchell Starc for 16 and bowled Nathan Ellis for four, before Maharaj completed the victory by removing Adam Zampa for seven.

Australia were bowled out for 230 in 41.2 overs, handing South Africa a 67-run victory.

Maharaj was the standout bowler, finishing with 4/20 from 9.2 overs, including two maidens. His four wickets were Marsh, Green, Edwards and Zampa.

Fortuin provided excellent support with 2/34 from eight overs, while Bosch claimed 2/67. Jansen and Coetzee took one wicket each.

The contrast between Australia’s start and their eventual total highlighted the effectiveness of South Africa’s response. Australia had raced to 90 without loss before losing all 10 wickets for the addition of 140 runs.

For South Africa, the victory was built around two significant recoveries.

With the bat, Breetzke and Jansen transformed the innings after the Proteas had slipped to 168/5. With the ball, Maharaj and Fortuin helped wrestle back control after Australia had dominated the opening Powerplay.

Breetzke was named Player of the Match for his 112, while Maharaj’s four-wicket spell ultimately ensured South Africa’s total was more than enough.

The result gives the Proteas a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series.