Maharaj turns chase after Breetzke century as South Africa beat Australia by 67 runs

Durban, 24 September 2026: Australia’s pursuit of 298 began at a frightening pace but unravelled against South Africa’s spinners as Keshav Maharaj took four wickets and Matthew Breetzke’s century set up a 67-run win in the opening ODI at Kingsmead on Thursday.

The second ODI of the series will be played in Johannesburg on Sunday, 27 September.

Breetzke made 112 from 106 balls and Marco Jansen hammered 75 from 59 as South Africa recovered from 29-2 to post 297-8 from their 50 overs.

Australia then raced to 90 without loss inside 10 overs, with captain Mitchell Marsh launching six sixes in a 36-ball 60, before Maharaj and Bjorn Fortuin changed the complexion of the chase.

The visitors lost all 10 wickets for 140 runs after their opening stand and were bowled out for 230 in 41.2 overs, giving South Africa a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Australia had chosen to bowl and initially found enough assistance at Kingsmead to put South Africa under pressure.

Josh Hazlewood removed Tony de Zorzi for a seven-ball duck before Nathan Ellis accounted for Quinton de Kock for 14, leaving the hosts 29-2 in the eighth over.

Temba Bavuma and Breetzke rebuilt cautiously through a 54-run third-wicket partnership. Adam Zampa ended Bavuma’s stay for 30 and later removed Ryan Rickelton for 27 as Australia continued to prevent South Africa from building sustained momentum.

At 168-5 in the 34th over, after Ellis caught and bowled David Miller for nine, Australia had an opportunity to restrict the hosts to a far more manageable total.

Breetzke and Jansen took it away from them.

The pair added 107 for the sixth wicket, but it was the contrast in their innings that gave South Africa’s recovery its shape.

Breetzke had reached his half-century from 50 balls and continued to accumulate through the middle overs before completing his hundred from 100 balls. His 112 contained 14 fours and two sixes and provided the innings around which South Africa could attack late.

Jansen supplied that acceleration.

The right-hander struck seven fours and four sixes during his 75 from 59 balls, reaching his half-century from 46 deliveries and helping South Africa take 89 runs from the final 10 overs.

Breetzke was eventually run out in the 48th over and Ellis removed Jansen at the end of the 49th, but the damage had been done.

Ellis finished as Australia’s most successful bowler with 3-57, while Zampa took 2-50 and Hazlewood returned an economical 1-50 from his 10 overs.

Australia's response initially suggested even 297 might not be enough.

Marsh attacked from the outset while Travis Head played the supporting role, Australia reaching 50 in only 5.5 overs and finishing the first powerplay at 96-1.

Marsh’s 60 included five fours and six sixes, but his dismissal proved the first major turning point.

Maharaj had the Australian captain caught by Breetzke at 90 in the 10th over, ending an opening partnership that had put the visitors well ahead of the required rate.

Head and Cooper Connolly initially kept the chase moving. Australia reached 124-1 after 15 overs and needed 174 from the remaining 35 with nine wickets available.

That position quickly deteriorated.

Jansen removed Head for 36 before Fortuin struck twice, dismissing Josh Inglis for three and Connolly for 38. Australia had gone from 129-1 to 156-4 in less than six overs.

Maharaj then squeezed the middle order further.

Cameron Green made five before becoming his second wicket and Jack Edwards, on ODI debut, managed five from 15 balls before Breetzke took another catch off Maharaj.

Australia were 188-6 after 30 overs and despite Matt Renshaw attempting to keep the chase alive with 44 from 49 balls, South Africa had taken control.

Gerald Coetzee removed Renshaw at 215 before Corbin Bosch dismissed Mitchell Starc and Ellis.

Maharaj completed the victory when Zampa was caught by Breetzke for seven, finishing with figures of 4-20 from 9.2 overs, including two maidens.

Fortuin’s 2-34 provided important support, while Breetzke capped his century by taking three catches in Australia’s innings.

Scores in brief:

South Africa won by 67 runs

South Africa 297-8 (50 overs): Matthew Breetzke 112 (106), Marco Jansen 75 (59), Temba Bavuma 30 (48); Nathan Ellis 3-57, Adam Zampa 2-50, Josh Hazlewood 1-50

Australia 230 (41.2 overs): Mitchell Marsh 60 (36), Matt Renshaw 44 (49), Cooper Connolly 38 (42), Travis Head 36 (37); Keshav Maharaj 4-20, Bjorn Fortuin 2-34, Corbin Bosch 2-67

Player of the Match: Matthew Breetzke