South Africa closed the fourth day of the first Test against Australia on 102 for four at Kingsmead in Durban on Monday, still needing a further 319 runs to win with six wickets left.
Aiden Markram was unbeaten on 45 at stumps, with Wiaan Mulder on five. Australia, who set the target earlier in the day, need six wickets on Tuesday to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
The position follows the declaration we reported earlier, when Australia set South Africa 421 to win after declaring at 314 for six at tea. South Africa’s reply then ran into immediate trouble against the new ball.
Hazlewood strikes, then Renshaw turns bowler
Josh Hazlewood made the early breakthroughs. He removed Ryan Rickelton for two and later bowled David Bedingham for 46, ending a partnership that had briefly steadied the innings.
Matt Renshaw then added a new chapter to his match. The left-hander, who bowls part-time off-spin, claimed his first Test wicket when Temba Bavuma was caught at short leg off bat and pad for one. Captain Pat Cummins followed three overs later, having Tristan Stubbs caught behind for one, and South Africa’s chase was in deep trouble before the close.
Renshaw’s day had already been remarkable with the bat. He top-scored for the second time in the match, making 82 from 99 balls with seven fours and two sixes. That followed his marathon 190 in the first innings, the innings at the heart of our report on how Renshaw and Cummins rescued Australia on the opening day. Where his first innings was built on patience, this one was brisk and attacking, scored to give Australia time to bowl South Africa out.
A task with no precedent
South Africa 102 for 4 leaves the home side chasing a target no team has reached in a Test in this country. As our earlier coverage noted, the highest successful chase on South African soil is 340, set by the Proteas themselves in 2002. A target of 421 sits far above that mark.
Bavuma has a personal record to protect as well. He has led South Africa in 12 Tests and has not lost any of them, winning 11 and drawing one. That run includes the World Test Championship final win over Australia at Lord’s in 2025. South Africa have lost four Tests since his appointment in 2023, but all of those defeats came with other players leading the side. A draw on Tuesday would keep his unbeaten record alive, and that now looks like his team’s realistic aim.
The match has already produced one landmark for Australia, after Steve Smith broke the record for Test catches earlier in the game. Smith made 27 in the second innings before Simon Harmer dismissed him.
Light may yet shape the finish. Bad light has ended play early on every day of this match, so Australia may not get the full final day to take the six wickets they need. Markram’s defence, therefore, carries unusual weight. If he bats deep into Tuesday, South Africa can still escape.
The Durban Test is one of two fourth-day stories in our coverage today. In Abu Dhabi, a Litton Das century put Bangladesh in command against Afghanistan in their one-off Test.
Frequently asked questions
What is the state of the Durban Test after day four?
South Africa are 102 for four, chasing 421 to win. They need 319 more runs on the final day, while Australia need six wickets.
How has Matt Renshaw performed in this Test?
Renshaw scored 190 in the first innings and 82 in the second. He also took his first Test wicket on day four, dismissing South Africa captain Temba Bavuma for one.
What is the highest successful Test chase in South Africa?
The record is 340, set by South Africa in 2002. No side has chased a target as large as 421 in a Test played in the country.
