Australia will need to be at their best to run down an imposing South African total, after a spectacular century from Matthew Breetzke saved the day after a difficult Proteas start in Durban.

Breetzke, who averages a remarkable 63 in ODI cricket with two hundreds and six 50s in just 15 matches, hit 14 fours and two sixes to anchor the hosts’ innings with aplomb after being sent in by Mitchell Marsh.

The 27-year old put on a quickfire 107-run partnership with star all-rounder Marco Jansen, who finished with 75 off just 59 balls, to power the Proteas to 8/297 from their 50 overs.

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Only once has a higher target been run down in Durban in ODI cricket: the Proteas’ 6/372 to successfully chase the Aussies’ total in October 2016.

Jansen, who looms as one of the key figures in South Africa’s upcoming three-Test series against Australia, clashed late in the innings with quick Nathan Ellis after a contentious single that saw the Proteas pair sneak through for a single after wicketkeeper Josh Inglis’ shy at the stumps ricocheted off Breetzke.

Ellis gets Miller caught and bowled | 00:32

Ellis was further angered when Jansen responded by clobbering him for a four and a six down the ground, though he’d have some measure of revenge by trapping him LBW in the final overs.

With figures of 3/57, Ellis was the pick of the Australian bowlers to continue his fine 2026, though spinner Adam Zampa struggled, going for 50 runs off his seven overs despite taking the big wickets of Ryan Rickelton and Temba Bavuma.

Ellis knocks over Quinton de Kock | 00:34

After a patchy performance against Zimbabwe, Australia’s fielding was back to its best at Kingsmead.

Inglis took a pair of excellent catches, including a sharp snaffle off Zampa to remove the set Bavuma; while Matt Renshaw threw himself around the outfield to make repeat boundary saves, and took an outstanding grab at full stretch on the boundary to dismiss Rickelton for 27.

All-rounder Jack Edwards (0/56 from 10 overs) was named for his ODI debut just days after being called into the squad for the injured Billy Stanlake; while young gun Ollie Peake was surprisingly dropped after showing strong form against Zimbabwe.

Fan cops ball to head after HUGE six | 00:43

Veteran quicks Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc also returned to the team, with captain Pat Cummins kept on ice and likely to feature later in the series.

Teams:

Australia: Mitchell Marsh (c), Travis Head, Cooper Connolly, Josh Inglis (wk), Matt Renshaw, Cameron Green, Jack Edwards, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood.

South Africa: Quinton de Kock (wk), Tony de Zorzi, Temba Bavuma (c), Matthew Breetzke, Ryan Rickelton, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Gerald Coetzee, Bjorn Fortuin, Keshav Maharaj.

PRE-GAME WRAP

During his press conference, Marsh indicated that Cummins may feature later in the series in Johannesburg or Potchefstrom – nearer to the start of the Test series, also in Durban on October 9.

“Pat’s main focus is the Test group, and a lot of our bowlers – and him in particular – are preparing for that Test series,” Marsh told reporters on Wednesday.

“I’m hopeful that he’ll feature in this series at some stage.”

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 03: Pat Cummins bowls during the Australian Test Squad Match Simulation at Allan Border Field on August 03, 2026 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

Cummins may leave the captaincy duties to his great mate whenever he does feature in the three-game series with Marsh telling reporters when asked of the captaincy situation: “I guess we’ll find out when he plays.”

Much has been made of the rainy weather in South Africa at this time of year, but the forecast is clear for the day game that falls on a public holiday in the Rainbow Nation.

More concerning for Australia is the fitness of Green, who scored a maiden Test century on homesoil against Bangladesh in Darwin last month.

The towering West Australian has been training in the nets, but while he will return for the first ODI against the Proteas, his full fitness is unclear, with Edward drafted in as a fourth seam-bowling option.

“He’s just building from a sore shoulder,” Marsh said of Green.

“But expecting him to play a role in this series at some stage … unaware (if he will bowl) yet.

“We think a fast-bowling all-rounder is going to be important for these games.”

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