Matthew Breetzke struck a run-a-ball hundred to help South Africa to 297 for eight in the first Dafabet ODI against Australia at Kingsmead in Durban on Heritage Day Thursday.
It was the batter’s second century against Australia and he became the highest scoring South African in his first 14 ODIs. The key liaison in the South African innings was his sixth-wicket partnership with Marco Jansen that realised 107 runs in just 81 balls with Jansen – who was the perfect foil for Breetzke – belting 75 in 59 balls, including four huge sixes. It was his third ODI half-century and equalled his highest score at this level.
Arms aloft 🙌
— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) September 24, 2026
Matthew Breetzke has his second ODI century 👏💯
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Jansen had joined Breetzke in the 34th over with South Africa under pressure on 168 for five after an out-of-touch David Miller was caught and bowled for nine in 25 balls. The pair settled in quickly and it was Jansen who sparked real acceleration in the scoring rate when he belted legspinner Adam Zampa for two big sixes as 16 came off the 39th over.
Marco Jansen 👏
— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) September 24, 2026
His power helps South Africa to close to 300 in their 50 overs 💪
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While it had been Breetzke who had held the innings together in the early stages it was now Jansen who took much of the pressure off him as he took command with his long levers and immense power.
Jansen lost Breetzke to a run-out after he had struck a magnificent 112 in 106 balls, including 14 fours and two sixes, but then helped his team well past the average total in a daytime ODI.
Earlier, the Australian pace bowlers exerted a stranglehold on the Proteas’ top-order after they had won the toss and put their opponents into bat on a slow, moist pitch that encouraged some seam movement, particularly in the first 20 overs.
Breetzke came to the crease with South Africa on 29 for two in the eighth over after the early loss of Tony de Zorzi for a duck and Quinton de Kock for 14. He and skipper Temba Bavuma began a recovery with a careful partnership of 54 in 66 balls against Australia’s disciplined pace attack.
After Bavuma’s dismissal, caught behind off Zampa for 30, Breetzke added a further 42 off 38 balls with Ryan Rickelton (27) and then 43 with Miller who barely contributed.
Medium-pacer Ellis, with his wide variety of deliveries, was the most successful Aussie bowler with 3/57 while Zampa claimed 2/50 in seven overs. Josh Hazlewood's first six overs were tight, conceding only 24 runs for De Zorzi's wicket, but he was expensive thereafter.
SOUTH AFRICA: Quinton de Kock (wk), Tony de Zorzi, Temba Bavuma (capt), Matthew Breetzke, Ryan Rickelton, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Gerald Coetzee, Bjorn Fortuin, Keshav Maharaj
AUSTRALIA: Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh (capt), Cooper Connolly, Josh Inglis (wk), Matt Renshaw, Cameron Green, Jack Edwards, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood