Proteas face mountain in Test against Australia

October 12, 2026

The Proteas need 319 runs with just six wickets in hand heading into the final day of the first Test against Australia in Durban.

Australia asserted their dominance over their hosts at the end of Day 4, needing just six more wickets to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 series.

Resuming at 33/0 after bad light brought a premature end to Day 3, Australia set an aggressive tone from the outset.

After the break, first-innings centurion, Matt Renshaw, anchored the lower order with remarkable composure. Building on his outstanding first-innings score of 190, Renshaw struck another half-century, scoring 82 off 99 balls, including seven fours and two sixes.

Aussie captain, Pat Cummins, then declared at at 314/6, setting South Africa a target of 421 for victory.

Facing the daunting chase in the final session, South Africa endured a testing evening under intense pressure from the Australian pace attack. Josh Hazlewood struck early when Ryan Rickelton edged his delivery behind to wicketkeeper Alex Carey for 2, leaving South Africa reeling at 7/1.

David Bedingham offered some resistance with 46 off 68 balls before Hazlewood trapped him LBW.

The pressure mounted further when Matt Renshaw claimed his maiden Test wicket, dismissing Proteas captain, Temba Bavuma, for 1 off 18 balls, caught by Nic Maddinson at short leg, leaving the hosts at 81/3.

Soon afterwards, Cummins induced an edge from Tristan Stubbs, who was caught by Carey behind the stumps for 1, reducing South Africa to 99/4.

Stumps, Day 4! 🏏

What a day of Test cricket at Hollywoodbets Kingsmead! 🏟️

#TheProteas end the day on 102/4 after 41 overs, needing 319 more runs to win. 🇿🇦

Play resumes tomorrow at 09:30am on the final day of this opening Dafabet Test match.

#Unbreakable #SAvAUS https://t.co/QsBTsmiPY2

— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) October 12, 2026