Concern still for Labuschagne: What England learned from SA vs Aus first Test
England travel to South Africa for a three-Test series starting in December, with a home Ashes on the horizon next summer, so what can they glean from Australia's 214-run win in Durban to open their own series in South Africa?
Key points
- Australia beat South Africa by 214 runs in the first Test in Durban, with Josh Hazlewood taking career-best figures of 6-49.
- Matt Renshaw's first-innings 190 helped Australia recover from 124-6 and may have secured him the No 5 spot.
- Marnus Labuschagne's wait for a 12th Test century continues, with his average at 25.29 in his last 24 Tests.
Australia won the first Test against South Africa in Durban by 214 runs, completing a dominant performance that gave England plenty to consider ahead of their three-Test series in South Africa starting in December. Josh Hazlewood took career-best figures of 6-49 in the second innings, while Pat Cummins led the attack in the first innings with 3-54 as South Africa were bowled out for 284.
South Africa, playing their first home Test since winning the World Test Championship final in June 2025, looked short of match practice after nearly a year without Test cricket. They conceded a 106-run first-innings deficit and were unable to bat out for a draw despite Aiden Markram's near six-hour 237-ball stay at the crease in the second innings.
Renshaw seizes his chance
Matt Renshaw was named player of the match after his career-best 190 in the first innings, an effort that rescued Australia from 124-6 on day one. He also scored 82 in the second innings and took a couple of wickets with his part-time off-spin, helping Australia post 390 and take control.
Renshaw's performance may have cemented him in the middle order, but questions remain over the rest of the batting line-up. Travis Head, who previously held the No 5 position before moving to open during last winter's Ashes, has not passed 22 in his three Test appearances since, leading to speculation about a possible switch between the two.
There's still much to be resolved with the look of this batting line-up.
— Sky Sports
Labuschagne under pressure
Marnus Labuschagne's wait for a 12th Test century continues, dating back to July 2023. He scored 37 in each innings in Durban and averages only 25.29 in his 24 Tests since his last hundred at Old Trafford in the 2023 Ashes.
Nic Maddinson returned to the Test side after injuries to Cameron Green and Josh Inglis, but his first-innings duck and second-innings 48 have left his place uncertain. Green and Inglis are expected to be available for the second Test in Gqeberha, and Australia may look to bring Green back into the team, though Renshaw has blocked his most obvious route at No 5.
South Africa's selection questions
South Africa's decision to field two specialist spinners in Durban raised questions, with Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer sharing just four wickets. The absence of Kagiso Rabada, who failed to recover from a hamstring injury, left the attack looking lopsided, and Wiaan Mulder was ineffective with the new ball.
The return of Anrich Nortje was encouraging, as he showed glimpses of his old pace and aggression. If Rabada is fit for the second Test in Gqeberha, his return alongside Nortje and Marco Jansen would provide a much sterner challenge for Australia and, later, England.
