South Africa beat Australia by 67 runs at Kingsmead, but the victory also left Shukri Conrad with plenty to think about ahead of the second ODI.
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1. The batting lineup still has questions
With Tristan Stubbs left out and Aiden Markram unavailable, there were opportunities for South Africa’s other batters to make a statement.
Ryan Rickelton looked okay at No. 5, making 27 from 26 balls before picking out Matt Renshaw in the deep off Adam Zampa. He certainly did not look out of place, although we already know just how dangerous he can be at the top of the order.
Temba Bavuma was also okay without ever really batting with authority, making 30 from 48 before edging Zampa through to Josh Inglis.
Tony de Zorzi never got going. He faced seven balls without scoring before looking to force Josh Hazlewood over the infield and edging to Renshaw. It almost looked like a premeditated attempt to break the pressure after being tied down.
Then there was David Miller, who never looked comfortable during his nine from 25 balls.
With Markram still to return and Stubbs waiting for an opportunity, the competition for those batting places is only becoming more interesting.
2. The pace bowling remains a concern
The final margin makes the victory look comfortable. The opening 10 overs of Australia’s chase were anything but.
Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head took Australia to 90 without loss, compared with South Africa’s 40-2 in their own powerplay.
Marco Jansen and Corbin Bosch were hit particularly hard before spin changed the contest. With several frontline quicks unavailable, South Africa are still searching for the right combination with the new ball.
The spinners rescued them at Kingsmead. They may not always be able to.
3. Two spinners can be more than a conditions call
Playing Keshav Maharaj and Bjorn Fortuin together looked like a Kingsmead-specific decision. It ended up looking like something South Africa could seriously consider again.
Maharaj took 4-20 and Fortuin 2-34 as Australia went from a commanding position to 230 all out.
Together they conceded just 54 runs from 17.2 overs.
It gave Bavuma control precisely when the fast bowlers had struggled to provide it, and the captain deserves credit tactically too. His use of Maharaj and Fortuin helped completely change the direction of Australia’s chase.
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4. Jansen at seven changes the balance
Marco Jansen’s 75 was important for more than simply rescuing the innings.
If South Africa can consistently get genuine runs from Jansen at No. 7, it allows them to pick five proper bowling options without making the batting order look particularly short.
At Kingsmead, that meant Jansen, Bosch and Coetzee could be paired with Maharaj and Fortuin.
Jansen’s bowling took punishment, particularly during Marsh’s assault, but he still found other ways to influence the game. He added four catches in the field, including a brilliant one-handed effort to dismiss Matt Renshaw.
His development with the bat could have a massive effect on how South Africa builds their ODI XI.
5. Breetzke has surely nailed down his place
If Matthew Breetzke’s position was, in any unlikely scenario, still in doubt, surely it is not anymore.
His 112 came with South Africa under genuine pressure. He arrived at 29-2, absorbed Australia’s strongest period and was still there when the Proteas needed to accelerate later in the innings.
It was his second ODI century and continued an extraordinary start to his international career.
With all the competition South Africa has for batting places, Breetzke is making his own increasingly difficult to touch.
Matthew Breetzke has started his ODI career with eight fifty-plus scores in his first 14 innings 🇿🇦#Cricket #SAvAUS pic.twitter.com/nFiJTM5SDZ
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) September 24, 2026
Originally published by SA Cricket Mag.
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