South Africa vs Australia 1st ODI takes center stage at Kingsmead, Durban, on September 24, 2026. Get the latest match details, squads, key players, schedule, and exciting ODI action from the Australia tour of South Africa.
Australia then takes to the field immediately following the anthems. Following the anthems, Australia struts onto the field. The umpires then walk off and the South African openers follow. The middle order is empty with Ryan Rickelton in it, South Africa vs Australia 1st ODI, as Quinton de Kock and Tony de Zorzi walk out to open the bowlers line-up. Two slips put on for Starc who has the new cherry in hand. Will he have some activity early? Shows good spirits and agrees. Here we go..
The players are leaving for the pitch with mascots for the national anthems. South Africa vs Australia 1st ODI, Australia’s anthem will be played first followed by the anthem of South Africa and then the action will start.
MATCH INFO South Africa vs Australia 1st ODI
Match
SOUTH AFRICA vs AUSTRALIA, AUSTRALIA TOUR OF SOUTH AFRICA, 2026
Toss
Australia (Bowling)
Date
24 Sept 2026
Time
1:00 PM GMT
Venue
Kingsmead, Durban
RSA 1st Inning
Aus 2nd Inning
Powerplay watch South Africa vs Australia 1st ODI
Both captains were looking for a break. There will be some swing available and South Africa will not be able to score more than 50 runs in their first 10 overs. South Africa vs Australia 1st ODI, Australia could take a couple of wickets during the same phase. View Complete Forecast…
Matt Renshaw: If the conditions are as with the Gabba, and the wicket is the same, would be very timid. But, yes it’s been quite nice so far and hopefully the wicket is pretty comparable to the Gabba. Well, it’s been great playing in South Africa for the first time. South Africa vs Australia 1st ODI, Being exposed to the culture here, eating all the braai’s etc. Yeah it’s a really nice country to come here to very passionate about cricket.
Really privileged to be in Africa, Zimbabwe, and then over to South Africa. It’ll be a different chance for me depending on the conditions and the format. Well, that’s right, South Africa vs Australia 1st ODI, you take one game at a time, and at least you’re enjoying a new role as a batter, from the red ball opener. Well, yes, I’m having a great time. It’s just that, you can understand the conditions here, getting a taste of international cricket in white ball cricket here before the World Cup.
I have played it a couple of times in Test cricket but see what they bring to the white ball game for me. Yeah, very filthy, with regards to off-spin and the idea of bowling on the tour. South Africa vs Australia 1st ODI, But, yes, maybe, depending on the opportunity, I suppose. But yeah, it’s a very tight, try model myself on Graeme Swann, but it’s probably a lot different skill set to him.
Shukri Conrad | South Africa’s head coach:
Against Australia Yeah, massive, it was important to get the series off to a good start. And it’s important. We want to get a start off to a good one. I think any series you start, or any match for that matter. South Africa vs Australia 1st ODI, We always speak about setting the tone and there’d be no better way to do so than against Australia at home for the first time in two years. So, we’re pretty excited about that. Obviously it’s disruptive, not ideal, particularly for the fast bowlers.
We need to identify solutions, and that’s what we have to do. There’s no point in knee-jerk reactions and causing some panic. But I’d like to think we’re putting some systems in place to be preventative. But it’s disruptive but we have to find a way. South Africa vs Australia 1st ODI, I think that’s been the hallmark of the side, that we find a way to get it done and I hope that’s going to be the case going into the future. There are a number of positions which maybe we speak about, or combinations which I prefer to look at, prior to next year’s World Cup.
And then whenever we can build capacity and build depth and continue to build that depth, then so be it, yeah. This year we will play nine ODIs. South Africa vs Australia 1st ODI, There are probably two more that we need to verify that we have leading up to the World Cup. It’s like minor adjustments. The last time I questioned about what our squad will look like this season, I don’t think that’s ever going to happen again. It is an opportunity we like to go and so are the young bowlers.
I think everybody can highlight what the problems are, but a wonderful opportunity, and when we get through today, I think it’s going to stand us in a really good stead. South Africa vs Australia 1st ODI.
Yeah I think it’s very key that you have the right length in your pitch report Shaun Pollock and Vernon Philander(2/2) That’s a bit of moisture on the surface as you’ve said, I believe, I think we discussed it a little bit, so it may feel a little bit spongy on the ball. So more bounce will be coming on initially.
Thus it is essential that you play that top of off. Yes, you may have to gamble with that one, for me, anyway, I’m a bowler on this surface, South Africa vs Australia 1st ODI, I almost try to let the batter play drives off me, that’s where you have to get him or her to not. Yes, there are the spinster and the changing conditions in Durban.
I believe the ball will have a little more grip on the seamers when it’s moist on the surface, and a little more grip on the spinners. But I think the one thing for me is that a bowler like Keshav (Maharaj) will probably be a big factor here, South Africa vs Australia 1st ODI, one to grip and one to skid and it’s difficult for the batsmen to make an adjustment to a bowler like Keshav and just the right decision to bowl first.
Two new balls, I think it’s going to be effective. It will be a difficult time at first, and I believe that will certainly be the side who have won the toss – and that will be Australia. South Africa vs Australia 1st ODI.
Actually, it’s a stiff breeze over the ground towards the scoreboard and even towards the sea and I think that’s what the captains, South Africa vs Australia 1st ODI, the batters, the bowlers have to consider. Just 52 meters there, and the breeze that will get it there. Therefore, they need to be aware of the plans. The pitch conditions have changed as a result of the rains that have fallen in Durban in the last few weeks and Australia bowled.
If it was a little bit underdone, maybe a little bit soft underneath, I wouldn’t be surprised and that’s why I wasn’t surprised when Mitchell Marsh wins the toss and then decides that this morning’s game is on for me. He will have his first bowl first. Look, South Africa vs Australia 1st ODI, that’s a nice green tinge on the pitch and I’m not surprised that they won the toss and decided to bowl first. I’m afraid the first day will be a very challenging one,
particularly in the morning, from the SAF point of view. So the batters will have to leave well, they’ll have to get themselves in, but I do foresee this surface will get better as the day progresses. I think with the grass it won’t be space, South Africa vs Australia 1st ODI, it won’t be bounce and that’s something that’s really ready for when it comes to this format with the ball coming onto the bat.
Teams:
South Africa (Playing XI): Quinton de Kock(w), Tony de Zorzi, Temba Bavuma(c), Matthew Breetzke, Ryan Rickelton, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Gerald Coetzee, Bjorn Fortuin, Keshav Maharaj
Australia (Playing XI): Mitchell Marsh(c), Travis Head, Cooper Connolly, Josh Inglis(w), Matt Renshaw, Cameron Green, Jack Edwards, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood
Temba Bavuma: On the preparation I think it’s my first ODI game here at Durban.
Well, the weather wasn’t too good. So we attempted to use it to the best of our ability. If it had been our innings I would have thought we’d have bowled first! We know in the morning here, probably there’ll be more swing, maybe a little bit slower wicket. But, yes, we too will have to adjust as much as we can. We have had to tap into our resources as a bowling attack in order to come up with injuries and replacements.
Our resources for our bowlers, and the opportunity for the guys that are going to have to fill those shoes. We enjoy making what we’ve got work. South Africa vs Australia 1st ODI, I’m confident in those guys that are replacing me. It’s yet another long journey to the 2027 World Cup. It’s obviously we know what the core kind of looks like in terms of the team. There are a couple of places available.It’s a matter of building momentum for us, getting into that.
Mitchell Marsh – We’re going to bowl first and attempt to get a head start. It’d be lying if I said I could get a really good read on the wickets, but we’re going to bowl first. South Africa vs Australia 1st ODI, I believe there’s a lot of positives to come out of Zimbabwe. A variety of activities for younger children. I would guess that there will be significantly different weather here but it’s a quality series and it’s a great place to tour South Africa.
He was a terrific little guy for that to happen to him and it boosted his confidence. Well it’s nice to have this experience with these younger guys and be able to play all places in all conditions, South Africa vs Australia 1st ODI, so it’s nice to be a bit of a old timer now. We know he’s a super talent and looking forward to seeing the series. [On the return of experienced fast bowlers to the Australian attack] It’s certainly a welcome experience.
It’s always a pleasure to have those guys back and indeed, to the credit of them, when they get the chance they enjoy playing cricket for Australia. South Africa vs Australia 1st ODI, So we’re very excited about this series. Australia versus South Africa has always provided great entertainment and hopefully that’s the case.
On the importance of the series with the World Cup a year away Every series is really important to us. It’s great to get some exposure, South Africa vs Australia 1st ODI, certainly to our young guys who haven’t played much in South Africa before next year. But we’re up and around and we hope we’re able to have a really good series!
Australia has won the toss and have choosing to bat first.
Australia, however, will also not be the same without regular skipper Pat Cummins after he was rested for the Zimbabwe leg of the tour and will head into today’s match fatigued and without a single rest. With 3 Tests coming up after the ODIs and with crucial WTC points up for grabs, the Test specialists were anyway supposed to be rotated throughout the ODI series.
Cameron Green missed the Zimbabwe ODIs with a shoulder injury and could be back, replacing Alex Carey. The tour opener is in sunny Durban, South Africa vs Australia 1st ODI, and there is dry weather expected. Some of the spinners have been given good pitches at Kingsmead in recent times, but the early start match may well bring some support for the pacers as well. Toss and team sheets coming up shortly..
South Africa are starting the cricket summer early at 09:00 Local Time or 07:00 GMT/12:30 IST and it’s a bumper summer for the rainbow nation. They will be playing eight Tests, nine ODIs and three T20Is over the next four months and the 2027 edition of SA20. South Africa vs Australia 1st ODI, It all begins today with the ODI series with reigning World champions Australia. The World Cup 2027 is just around the corner and work on the massive World Cup starts here for both teams.
Australia come back 3-0 from a win against Zimbabwe a few days ago and Zimbabwe have had a long break (with a second string team playing in the T20I tri-series and ODIs in Namibia). But the home side have had a run of injuries to their bowlers. South Africa vs Australia 1st ODI, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Kwena Maphaka and Ottneil Baartman were all ruled out with hamstring injuries, and Nandre Burger was ruled out due to a recurrent back injury.
This has left their bowling arm very weak. South Africa vs Australia 1st ODI, The attack will be led by Marco Jansen along with his brother Duan, Gerald Coetzee who is returning and Lizaad Williams.
Preview by Telford Vice
For what it is, it’s a hamdemic. Or is it Hamaggeddon? Either way, Kwena Maphaka was dropped from the squad for the ODI series against Australia which begins at Kingsmead on Thursday on Wednesday. South Africa vs Australia 1st ODI, Like Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi and Ottneil Baartman before him. The denominator common to all four cases? Hamstring injuries.
Lizaad Williams replaced Maphaka — whose calamity CSA announced on Wednesday — and seems likely to get a game on Thursday. Williams is willing, able and a seamer, but the home side will miss out on Maphaka’s left arm zip. South Africa vs Australia 1st ODI, Particularly in the absence of 192 ODI caps of the four players who failed to perform in the game.
If it was any other country, a fast bowler or three would be found around any braai fire, but this is not the case in South Africa. Many teams wouldn’t mind a first-choice pace attack of Marco and Duan Jansen, Corbin Bosch and Gerald Coetzee, all of whom are in the squad. The point is, however, that four of the best, all of whom were in the original team, are no longer.
So it would be understandable if cricketminded South Africans have their eye on a brighter side. South Africa vs Australia 1st ODI, Like David Miller. He has scored seven ODI centuries but only the Australians have been at the receiving end of as many as three of them. Not only is this, but Kingsmead is the only ground Miller’s hundred lightning has struck twice in.
The Australians are keen to make fresh starts in the ODIs, hoping to rotate their squad as soon as possible to prepare for the Test series which begins at the same ground on October 9, or nine days after their final white-ball match. So, the new captain of the Test/ODI team, Pat Cummins, will probably only feature in one of the three ODIs.
Which makes Nathan Ellis, the top two wicket taker for both sides in the Zimbabwe ODI series last week, when Cummins was not playing, with nine wickets for 112 balls at an economy rate of 4.45 the key to Australia’s attack.
South Africa have won all their series series against Australia in their last 5 series played. However, the visitors have won half of the 10 ODIs they have played at home in Kingsmead.
Both sides are 4-0 in their last five ODIs. However, let’s not get too excited as six of those 10 victories have come against minnows Zimbabwe and Namibia.
The World Cup 2027 is still a year away from the start, it will be hosted in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. Despite that, this series is a crucial one that both teams will want to complete prior to the tournament. It’s all about knowledge for the Australians, of what to expect and the quirks and characteristics of three of the venues for the World Cup match and warm-up game. The South Africans, who have never lifted the World Cup, will want to compare their performance with the opponents who know how to do it. They should considering that they have claimed the trophy six times; at least three times more often than any other team.
When: Thursday, September 24, 2026; 10am local/8am GMT/1.30pm IST
Where: Kingsmead, Durban
Expect pleasant day – 25 degrees C and some cloud which may include swing. Not much rain in the way to plague cricket in Durban either. Here, they have played 47 (O.D.I.)s and scored 300+ of runs. Kingsmead has experienced 23 centuries and four five-wicket stints, all by seamers.
Team news:
South Africa: Gerald Coetzee may be bowled his heart out with no success in the ODI game at Eden Garden, against Australia, in the World Cup semi-final of 2023. Aiden Markram will be spending time in a dressing room for the first time in 200 days since his early departure from The Hundred due to personal reasons and may be allowed the day to reacclimatise.
Possible XI: Tony de Zorzi, Quinton de Kock, Temba Bavuma (capt), Matthew Breetzke, Tristan Stubbs, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj, Gerald Coetzee, Lizaad Williams.
Australia: Pat Cummins will miss out with the visitors aiming to play with caution in the Test series. That means Mitchell Marsh will be the captain. Cameron Green may be coming back from missing all three ODIs this month for the Aussies in Zimbabwe but he’s recovering from a shoulder injury.