Josh Hazlewood's six-for propelled Australia to a huge, 214-run win over South Africa in the first Test at Kingsmead.

South Africa had been set a record target of 421 to win, but went into day five with just six wickets to play with, with the Proteas left rocking on 102-4 in Durban.

Hazlewood took 2-20 on Monday, and the paceman was the star of the show as he added another four wickets to his total to finish the job, rounding off with figures of 6-49.

Wiaan Mulder (29) was the first South African batter to fall on Tuesday, before Kyle Verreynne (1) was sent packing by Matt Renshaw (2-30) and Steve Smith, with the latter taking the catch.

Hazlewood bowled Marco Jansen out on 35, with Simon Harmer (0) falling three balls later.

Aiden Markram (75) was the only Protea to offer any resistance. He was soon caught behind off Mitchell Starc's bowling, paving the way for Hazlewood to cap off an emphatic victory when he dismissed Anrich Nortje (4), with South Africa all out for 206.

MATCH RESULT An absolutely gripping Test match comes to an end in the second session of Day 5 at Hollywoodbets Kingsmead in Durban! Australia secure victory by 214 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match Dafabet Test series. #Unbreakable #SAvAUS https://t.co/BYvG88Se5M

— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) October 13, 2026

Smith extends record to banish Sandpapergate demons 

It was back in 2018 that Smith was at the centre of the ball-tampering scandal that plagued Australian cricket. This series marks Australia's first Test matches in South Africa since then.

Renshaw, with his knocks of 190 and 82, was the star of the show with the bat, while Hazlewood stepped up with the ball to round things off.

But it will be a particularly poignant moment for Smith, whose catch on day five took him to 224 in Test cricket. He has taken the record back from Joe Root (220).

This marked South Africa's first defeat under captain Temba Bavuma in the longest format. They had won 11 and drawn 12 of their matches under him before this contest, which was their first Test since November last year.

"Great performance," said Australia skipper Pat Cummins. "We managed to clinch and hold onto the lead from [day one]. Everywhere I look, there's Test wickets. 

"I haven't played a lot of Tests in 18 months and that felt as good as I could. Felt I could bowl more overs when needed. It's nice being 1-0 up, better than the alternative. Playing away is hard, getting the win and confidence is good."

The second Test of the three-match series starts on Sunday.