Australia needs six wickets on the final day at Kingsmead after Matt Renshaw’s 82 and Pat Cummins’ late declaration set South Africa a target of 421 in the first Test in Durban on Monday, October 12, 2026.
After compiling a first-innings 190 that rescued the tourists from a top-order collapse, the 30-year-old Queenslander returned on day four at Kingsmead to top-score once again with 82 runs. His second-innings knock moved at a much faster clip than his patient opening vigil, featuring seven fours and two sixes before Keshav Maharaj ended his stay with a strange return catch.
Renshaw’s match tally finished at 272 runs, which stands near the record by an Australian against South Africa. He finished three runs behind Phillip Hughes, who scored twin tons at the same ground in 2009, and nine runs behind David Warner’s two centuries in Cape Town in 2014. Donald Bradman’s famous 299 not out remained 28 runs ahead.
Nic Maddinson’s second innings offered a sharp contrast to his first-innings duck, as he contributed a fast-paced 48 from 38 balls. Marnus Labuschagne recorded 37 runs from 58 balls, matching his first-innings total precisely. Steve Smith added 27 runs before Anrich Nortje struck him on the helmet with a delivery, leading to Smith being replaced in the field pending further assessments. Alex Carey chipped in with 24 runs before edging a drive from Nortje into his stumps.
Australia Declares After Late Acceleration
With quick runs required to set up a result, Australia’s lower order chipped in with aggressive cameos. Cummins called his batters in at 314-6 just before the tea break, leaving South Africa a daunting target of 421 to win.
No team in Test history has successfully chased down 421 in the fourth innings, with the all-time record standing at the West Indies’ 418 against Australia in Antigua in 2003. At Kingsmead, the highest successful chase remains Australia’s 336 achieved in 1950.
Late Evening Breakthroughs for Renshaw and Cummins
Faced with a mountainous target, South Africa’s top order faltered under pressure from the Australian attack. Josh Hazlewood struck early by removing Ryan Rickelton for two, who edged a rising delivery to wicketkeeper Alex Carey. Hazlewood then trapped David Bedingham leg before wicket for 46, ending a patient 66-run partnership.
As shadows lengthened in Durban, Cummins handed the ball to part-time spinner Matt Renshaw, who immediately justified the move by dismissing South Africa captain Temba Bavuma for one, caught at short leg by Nic Maddinson. Cummins then induced an edge from Tristan Stubbs, who made one run before giving a thick edge to the Australian captain, leaving the hosts reeling at 4-102 at stumps.
Poor Light and Low Crowds Mar Kingsmead Fixture
While Australia closes in on a statement victory to open the three-match series, the fixture has been heavily marred by poor light and sparse crowds. Dozens of overs have been lost across the first four days as early evening sunsets and hazy conditions forced umpires to call stumps well before schedule. After 24.4 overs were lost on day one and another 15.2 overs went down on day three, play was called off on Sunday afternoon when another 21.2 overs were due to be bowled. Former South African player Paul Harris reacted to the low turnouts on social media by calling to Ban cricket in Durban,
while other commentators questioned whether Kingsmead should continue hosting marquee Test fixtures given the rows of empty seats on the weekend.
South Africa will resume on the final morning needing another 319 runs, with Aiden Markram unbeaten on 45 and Wiaan Mulder on five. Australia requires six wickets on Tuesday to secure an opening series lead.