Australia Dominates South Africa to Take 1-0 Series Lead

Australia has taken a 1-0 series lead against South Africa after claiming a dominant 214-run victory on day five at Kingsmead. The Proteas lost their last four wickets for just five runs to be bowled out for 206, with Josh Hazlewood finishing with career-best figures of 6-49.

Matt Renshaw was named player-of-the-match for his knocks of 190 and 82, as well as his two second-innings wickets. South Africa coach Shukri Conrad said the biggest issue with this match for him was his batters' lack of application, saying their inability to go on with their starts comes down to the mental side rather than skills or tactics.

"I don't know if it's alarming, it's concerning, but I don't think it's easy coming off an eight-month break,"

Conrad said. "I think [Australia] came off a few months' break and got beat by Bangladesh on their return. It sounds like an excuse but we'll be better for this run under the belt."

South Africa captain Temba Bavuma said his team can learn a lot from the victors. "The way they dominated the majority of the game, the way they stuck into us even after they were 120-6; they showed their experience, they showed their skill,"

"A lot of questions or conversations we need to have. We can learn from the way they went about it, but you've got to give it to them."

Bavuma said the key is guys getting and going big after two innings featuring 11 guys passing 25 but only one reaching 50. "We had a number of guys who got in but unfortunately weren't able to get us into strong positions,"

On the bowling front, he says the South Africans can learn from the Aussies to be more proactive, but getting Kagiso Rabada back will be a massive game-changer.

Matt Renshaw was named player of the match for his 190, 82 and 2-30.

"Pretty tired to be honest. It's been a long five days and it's been a long time since I played a five-day Test match. It was nice to be able to contribute,"

Renshaw said. "But of course he's a company when asked about batting in the middle order. It's pretty nice, it's a bit different to opening the batting, but happy to do whatever the team needs me to do."

Josh Hazlewood finished with six wickets, and Australia won by 214 runs.