Proteas Dig Deep As Injury-Hit Bowling Attack Silences Australia in Durban
- South Africa faced a difficult start to the Australia series after a string of injuries left their bowling department under serious pressure
- The Proteas had to rethink their plans before the opening ODI, with several familiar faces missing from the attack in Durban
- Australia arrived with a powerful batting line-up, but South Africa had already been forced to make major changes before the first ball
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South Africa produced an impressive response to their bowling injury crisis by beating Australia by 67 runs in the first ODI at Kingsmead in Durban on Thursday, 24 September 2026.
The Proteas were missing Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Ottneil Baartman and Kwena Maphaka, leaving their pace department severely depleted. Yet they defended 297/8 and bowled Australia out for 230.
Australia appeared well placed during the chase before losing their last nine wickets for 101 runs.
Breetzke and Jansen rescue Proteas
South Africa were not always comfortable with the bat. Matthew Breetzke provided the foundation with 112 from 106 balls, including 14 fours and two sixes. Marco Jansen then produced an important contribution of 75 from 59 deliveries.
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The pair added 107 runs for the sixth wicket after South Africa had slipped to 168/5. Breetzke's century was his second in ODI cricket and gave South Africa the platform they needed.
Proteas captain Temba Bavuma praised the pair afterwards.
“The way Matthew Breetzke played, the positions and intensity were something to commend. The way Marco Jansen played as well was great,” Bavuma said.
Maharaj leads depleted bowling attack
Australia's response initially threatened to spoil South Africa's plans. Mitchell Marsh smashed 60 from only 36 balls, while Travis Head made 36 and Matt Renshaw scored 44.
Then the Proteas spinners changed the contest. Keshav Maharaj claimed 4/20, while Bjorn Fortuin took 2/34. Corbin Bosch also finished with two wickets.
SuperSport confirmed before the match that South Africa were missing four key pace bowlers, all due to hamstring injuries. Maphaka had been ruled out only a day before the match after suffering a right hamstring strain in training.
Four fast-bowling injuries hit Proteas
The injury problems had developed over several weeks. The ICC reported that Baartman was ruled out with a left hamstring injury, while Rabada had also been sidelined with a hamstring concern. Ngidi was subsequently ruled out with a right hamstring injury.
Maphaka's injury intensified what had become a major hamstring crisis in South Africa's pace department. Lizaad Williams was called up as his replacement.
The depleted attack nevertheless held Australia to 230, giving South Africa an early advantage in the three-match series.
The second ODI takes place at the Wanderers in Johannesburg on Sunday, 27 September.
Graeme Smith's warning ahead of Australia clash
Briefly News previously reported that former Proteas captain Graeme Smith had warned South Africa that Australia were likely to put their senior players under pressure during the ODI series.
Smith also highlighted the significance of Kagiso Rabada's absence and the responsibility facing the players stepping into bigger roles.
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