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South Africa vs Australia 1st Test 2026: Day 5 Live Updates and Highlights from Durban

  • Venue: Kingsmead, Durban
  • Captains: Temba Bavuma (South Africa), Pat Cummins (Australia)
  • Toss Result: Australia won the toss and elected to bat first
  • Live Broadcast: SuperSport Cricket & SABC 3 (South Africa), Fox Sports & Kayo Sports (Australia), Fancode (India)
  • Officials: Chris Gaffaney & Richard Kettleborough (on-field umpires), Richard Illingworth (third umpire), Stephen Harris (reserve umpire), Javagal Srinath (match referee)
  • Result: To Be Decided
  • Player of the Match: To Be Decided

Day 5 Live Scorecard and Key Moments

Welcome to the final day's live updates from Kingsmead where South Africa chase a challenging target of 421 runs set by Australia. Early on, Josh Hazlewood struck quickly, dismissing Ryan Rickelton for a duck with a sharp delivery caught by Beau Webster. The Proteas fought back through David Bedingham and Aiden Markram, who combined for an aggressive 84-run partnership that pushed the innings forward.

The Australian pacers adjusted their lengths, restricting scoring opportunities while Nathan Lyon applied pressure with his spin. Mitchell Starc ended Markram's resistance and soon after, Lyon got the crucial wicket of South Africa captain Temba Bavuma, caught behind for 3 runs. At stumps on Day 4, South Africa were 102/4, trailing by 319 runs with six wickets left.

Session Summaries

  • Day 4 Third Session (Stumps): South Africa at 102/4, still needing 319 to win.
  • Day 4 Second Session (Tea): Australia declared their second innings at 314/6, setting South Africa 421 to win. Matt Renshaw top-scored with 82, and Pat Cummins played a rapid 32 off 12 balls before the declaration.
  • Day 4 First Session (Lunch): Australia made 174/4. Nic Maddinson impressed early with 48 runs but was dismissed by Anrich Nortje. Steve Smith scored 27, and Marnus Labuschagne made 37 before falling to South African spinners.
  • Day 3 Third Session (Stumps): Australia took control by bowling South Africa out for 284 and reached 33/0 in their second innings, leading by 106 runs.
  • Day 3 Second Session (Tea): South Africa battled hard to reach 238/8, but Australia’s attack kept the pressure high, taking key wickets.
  • Day 3 First Session (Lunch): South Africa struggled to 115/4 due to disciplined Australian bowling.
  • Day 2 Third Session (Stumps): Matt Renshaw's marathon 190 ended as Australia posted 390. South Africa replied with 27/1 before bad light stopped play.
  • Day 2 Second Session (Tea): Australia reached 390/9 with Renshaw unbeaten on 190, supported by Nathan Lyon’s steady 27.
  • Day 2 First Session (Lunch): Australia at 277/8, led by Renshaw's century off 204 balls.
  • Day 1 Third Session (Stumps): Play abandoned early due to poor light with Australia at 187/6.
  • Day 1 Second Session (Tea): Australia struggled to 149/6 after South Africa's bowlers struck.
  • Day 1 First Session (Lunch): South Africa gained the upper hand early, reducing Australia to 84/3 with Wiaan Mulder and Marco Jansen taking wickets.

Team Lineups

  • South Africa XI: Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, David Bedingham, Temba Bavuma (c), Tristan Stubbs, Wiaan Mulder, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Marco Jansen, Simon Harmer, Keshav Maharaj, Anrich Nortje
  • Australia XI: Travis Head, Nic Maddinson, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Matthew Renshaw, Alex Carey (wk), Beau Webster, Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood

Win Probability

  • Australia: 37%
  • South Africa: 63%

Series Schedule

  • 1st Test: Oct 9-13, 1:00 p.m. IST, Kingsmead, Durban
  • 2nd Test: Oct 18-22, 1:00 p.m. IST, St George's Park, Gqeberha
  • 3rd Test: Oct 27-31, 1:00 p.m. IST, Newlands, Cape Town

Additional Notes

Australia fielded a team with all players aged 30 or above, a first in their Test history. Nic Maddinson returned after nearly a decade, opening the batting, and Marnus Labuschagne played his first Test in his country of birth, South Africa. Kagiso Rabada missed out for South Africa, while Anrich Nortje made his return after three years. Josh Inglis was sidelined due to a fractured finger but is expected back for the next Test.

For ongoing updates, fans can follow ball-by-ball commentary and match momentum graphics. The encounter marks an intense battle between reigning champions South Africa and determined Australia in a tightly contested series opener.

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