South Africa vs Australia: The questions posed after Proteas' heavy defeat

Australia 390 & 314-6 dec: Renshaw 82; Nortje 2-56, Maharaj 2-56

South Africa 284 & 206: Markram 75; Hazlewood 6-49

South Africa's 12-match unbeaten run came to a shuddering stop with defeat against Australia in Durban, but were they simply rusty or is there more to read into a Test match in which they were outclassed across the five days?

The world champions held on until an hour into the afternoon session on the final day – Aiden Markram fought admirably for 237 deliveries – but Australia, led by Josh Hazlewood with career-best figures of 6-49, eventually broke any lingering resistance to go 1-0 up in the three-match series.

"I would like to see more fight," said Proteas coach Shukri Conrad. "I don't know if it is alarming [but] it is concerning."

So should South Africa be worried at the start of an eye-catching few months which includes the visit of England over Christmas?

Much was made of South Africa's run to the 2025 World Test Championship final at Lord's.

They played only 12 Tests – no team played fewer – and qualified after drawing at home against India and losing in New Zealand, before beating West Indies, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

Mitigation for this latest Test also comes from the fact this is their first in almost a year and the majority of their batters played one domestic red-ball match to prepare.

Australia recently came off an eight-month break of their own and lost to Bangladesh in home conditions, as Conrad was keen to point out.

And last summer's famous win over Australia and a 2-0 success in India proves they can beat the world's top teams.

However, this Test only reinforced a worrying trend among South Africa's batters.

Tristan Stubbs and Ryan Rickelton are fine white-ball players, but Stubbs' two Test centuries have come against Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, and Rickelton's against Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

In the first innings, Stubbs, two overs after Wiaan Mulder had been bounced out, top-edged a pull to fine leg, and in the second he played a loose drive on one.

Opener Rickelton drove and edged at a wide ball late on day two and nicked through a pull in the fourth over on day four.

Similarly, Mulder scored 367 not out against Zimbabwe last year, but Bangladesh are the only other side he averages more than 30 against. His 110-ball stay for 29 on the final day before being strangled down the leg side was at least encouraging.

Wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne, in contrast, lasted only three balls before nudging Matt Renshaw's part-time spin to slip. His Test average of 30.14 drops to 28 against Australia and 15 against both England and India.

Conrad said that "a few of the guys need to step up".

"The real disappointment was the batting in the first dig on a really good wicket," Conrad said.

"Yes, a world-class attack, but quite a few guys getting starts and not kicking on."

Aiden Markram's defiant knock in the fourth innings, in which he batted for almost six hours for 75 runs before edging Mitchell Starc through to Alex Carey in the afternoon session, was one positive for the Proteas.

David Bedingham also looked comfortable in his new position of number three, albeit he was one of those guilty of failing to make the most of starts after reaching 49 and 46.

This defeat was not solely on the batters, either.

Bavuma, who tasted defeat as captain for the first time in this match, allowed the game to drift on day two as Australia extended their score from 124-6 to 390 not out.

Australia's Matt Renshaw played brilliantly for his 190 but was not challenged as he casually farmed the strike and protected Nathan Lyon in their ninth-wicket stand of 134.

And while judging them against Australia's fearsome attack, the most successful quartet Test cricket has seen, is hardly fair, South Africa's bowlers lacked the relentless pressure of their counterparts.

Anrich Nortje was impressive in taking four wickets in his first Test since March 2023. His last spell was quicker than his first as he brought pace and hostility, hitting Steve Smith on the helmet with a bouncer on day four.

But Mulder offered little after his new-ball spells and Marco Jansen was quiet after dismissing Nic Maddinson and Steve Smith on day one.

The return from injury of their premier quick Kagiso Rabada, who was seen bowling at lunch on day five, cannot come soon enough.

Spinners Simon Harmer and Keshav Maharaj did not escape Conrad's gaze either.

"Anrich's return was phenomenal and really pleasing," Conrad said.

"If we were brutally honest, our spinners were not as sharp as they normally are."

With the second Test starting in only five days' time in Gqeberha, South Africa must hope this Test has removed the rust.

The alternate takeaway would be far more concerning.