South Africa vs Australia, 1st Test: SA need 319 to win on final day with 6 wickets remaining

South Africa vs Australia, 1st Test Day 4: South Africa need to score 319 runs to win the match on the final day. They have six wickets remaining.

Matt Renshaw picked up his maiden Test wicket (AFP)

South Africa vs Australia, 1st Test Day 4: Australia moved within six wickets of victory in the opening Test against South Africa at Kingsmead after another commanding day in Durban. Resuming at 33/0, the visitors raced to 314/6 before declaring, setting the hosts a formidable target of 421. Matt Renshaw followed his first-innings 190 with 82, while Nic Maddinson struck 48 and captain Pat Cummins smashed an unbeaten 32 off 12 balls. South Africa's chase began poorly as Josh Hazlewood removed Ryan Rickelton and David Bedingham (46). Renshaw then claimed his maiden Test wicket, dismissing Temba Bavuma, before Cummins removed Tristan Stubbs. Aiden Markram remained unbeaten on 45 as South Africa closed at 102/4, requiring another 319 runs on the final day.

Follow all the updates here:

• 12 Oct 2026, 09:12:40 PM IST

  Stumps Day 4

  So, the fourth day of this exciting Test match comes to an end. The final session of day 3 saw 41 overs bowled, 102 runs scored in them for the loss of four wickets. South Africa now need 319 runs on the final day, they have six wickets in hand. Aiden Markram is looking good in the middle, batting at 45. South Africa will hope that Markram and Mulder bat long on day 4 and keep them in the game.

• 12 Oct 2026, 08:39:30 PM IST

  Pat Cummins strikes!!

  South Africa are continuing to lose wickets as a win is appearing to go further away for them. Pat Cummins now joins the act for Australia, as he picks up the wicket of Tristan Stubbs. The Proteas have now lost 4 wickets, and it is looking like a repeat of the first innings, where wickets continued to tumble after a steady 2nd wicket stand.

• 12 Oct 2026, 08:22:30 PM IST

  Matt Renshaw picks a wicket!!

  Matt Renshaw can do no wrong in the first Test vs South Africa. After scoring 272 runs across the two innings, the Australian star picks up his first-ever wicket. And what a scalp he has had! He picks up the wicket of Temba Bavuma, who is caught by Nic Maddinson at short leg.

• 12 Oct 2026, 08:14:02 PM IST

  Relive Pat Cummins' whirlwind 32

  Pat Cummins 32*(12) Vs South Africa 1st Test,2026 At Durban Ball By Ball Highlights 😮‍💨🔥 https://t.co/0F2wRw2lZa

  — Cricket Dani (@CricketDani56) October 12, 2026

  Pat Cummins played a hurricane knock of 32 runs from 12 balls in an innings including 4 sixes. Here is a look at his fantastic knock that propelled Australia to a 420-run load.

• 12 Oct 2026, 07:54:41 PM IST

  WICKET ALERT!!

  David Bedingham becomes the second wicket to fall for South Africa. It is Josh Hazlewood who strikes once again, as he castles the right-hander's stumps. Bedingham was playing well, but got dismissed just four runs short of a fifty.

• 12 Oct 2026, 07:33:51 PM IST

  50-partnership up!!

  After the fall of the early wicket of Ryan Rickleton, South Africa have slowly and steadly climbed back into the innings, courtesy David Bedingham and Aiden Markram. The duo have stitched a 50-run stand for the second wicket, like they did in the first innings. Is this the foundation for a famous run chase?

• 12 Oct 2026, 07:03:49 PM IST

  Drinks called

  It is drinks in the last session of Day 4. South Africa have once again lost Ryan Rickelton early. However, Aiden Markram and David Bedingham are fighting it out for the home team. For the Proteas to have any chance in the game. They cannot afford to lose more than a wicket by end of play today.

• 12 Oct 2026, 06:50:29 PM IST

  South Africa playing the waiting game!!

  After the loss of the early wicket, South Africa have gone into complete defensive mode, as Aiden Markram are David Bedingham are not looking to play extravagant shots, and scoring runs slowly. They are holding their fort, as Australia try all their bowlers on them, even introducing the spin of Nathan Lyon early.

• 12 Oct 2026, 06:26:42 PM IST

  Josh Hazlewood strikes early!!

  South Africa have begun the second innings for South Africa, as they chase 421 to win. However, they stuttered right at the start, as they lost the wicket of Ryan Rickleton. Josh Hazlewood strikes for Australia. This was a match to forget for Rickleton as he scored 2 after falling for a duck in the first innings.

• 12 Oct 2026, 05:51:20 PM IST

  Australia declare!!

  Pat Cummins played a whirlwind knock of 32 runs from 12 balls, as he hit 4 sixes at the end. This knock powered Australia to 314/8. They took a 420-run lead and then declared the innings. Hence, South Africa need 421 to win, with four sessions of play remaining in the Test match.

• 12 Oct 2026, 05:37:32 PM IST

  Matt Renshaw departs!!

  Matt Renshaw misses out on a century by 18 runs, as his brilliant show with the bat was halted due to an excellent bit of fielding from Keshav Maharaj off his own bowling. Another brilliant innings from Renshaw after his 190 in the first innings. What a comeback he has had.

• 12 Oct 2026, 04:56:44 PM IST

  Another fifty for Renshaw!!

  Matt Renshaw continues his good form in the second innings of the match as well. After scoring 190 in the first innings, the left-hander smashed another half-century. After coming back into the squad, he has made the number 5 place his own.

• 12 Oct 2026, 04:33:28 PM IST

  Australia lose five

  Matt Renshaw still stands tall, as Alex Carey becomes the fifth wicket to fall. Anrich Nortje takes his second wicket of the day, as he once again castles his stumps. The left-handed batter misses out by 6 runs from his half-century, after scoring 190 in the first innings.

• 12 Oct 2026, 04:30:48 PM IST

  Lead goes past 300

  South Africa's lead has now gone past the 300-run mark, with Alex Carey and Matt Renshaw batting incredibly smoothly. Renshaw is nearing his half-century, and the visitors are continuing to score at a brisk pace. A lead of over 400 is now looking like a given.

• 12 Oct 2026, 04:09:30 PM IST

  Action resumes!!

  Alex Carey and Matt Renshaw have begun proceedings for Australia in the second session of play on Day 4. With Renshaw in great form especially, they will look to get past the South African bowlers and continue the attacking style of batting that he has shown for in the past year or so.

• 12 Oct 2026, 03:22:42 PM IST

  Lunch time

  It has been a good session for South Africa as they have taken four wickets. However, Australia continue to pile on the pressure as they look to score at a quick pace. They have thus extended their lead to 280 runs at lead at lunch, and with in-form Matt Renshaw in the middle, they will definitely aim to get their lead past 400.

• 12 Oct 2026, 03:11:43 PM IST

  Uncanny resemblance for Labuschagne

  Marnus Labuchagne Gone For The Same Score In Both Innings 37(58) 🤯🔥 https://t.co/5yPDRuTw6J

  — Cricket Dani (@CricketDani56) October 12, 2026

  In both the innings of the match, Marnus Labuschagne was dismissed for the exact same score of 37 from 58 deliveries. This is how he got out in the second innings.

• 12 Oct 2026, 02:54:57 PM IST

  Frustration continues for Labuschagne!!

  It has been some time since Marnus Labuschagne has posted a high score for Australia, and after a good start, he once again falls. This time, he lobs the ball straight into the hands of Temba Bavuma. It is a soft dismissal, as he gets out for 37. Australia are four down now, as they somehow aim to take their lead to 400 or above with 6 wickets in hand.

• 12 Oct 2026, 02:33:23 PM IST

  Three wickets down!!

  Simon Harmer has taken the crucial breakthrough for South Africa. Steve Smith departs as he tried to clear the ropes once again, landing the ball straight into the hands of Marco Jansen. The wicket now brings the hero of the first innings, Matt Renshaw into the middle.

• 12 Oct 2026, 02:29:00 PM IST

  50 partnership up!!

  Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne have truly consolidated the Australia innings after the loss of two early wickets. The duo have gone against their natural game, and taken the attack to the opposition.

• 12 Oct 2026, 02:06:03 PM IST

  Smith, Labuschagne take lead past 200

  Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne are continuing the momentum set by the Australian openers, as they continue piling on the runs. The lead for the visitors has gone past 200, and by the looks of things, they are not willing to stop.

• 12 Oct 2026, 01:55:39 PM IST

  Relive the magical Nortje delivery!!

  Bowleddd Himm A Ripper From Anrich Nortje To Dismiss Nick Maddison Who Falls Just Short Of His Fifty 😮‍💨🤯🔥 https://t.co/KdqGQK0d2K

  — Cricket Dani (@CricketDani56) October 12, 2026

  Anrich Nortje bowled a magical delivery to get Nic Maddinson out. Here's how he took the important wicket.

• 12 Oct 2026, 01:43:37 PM IST

  SA pacers breathe fire!!

  The South African pacers are currently breathing fire, as they are heavily troubling the newly arrived pair of Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith. In fact, they are peppering them with short deliveries, and one of them even struck Smith on the head. A mandatory concussion check had to be performed.

• 12 Oct 2026, 01:30:47 PM IST

  Nortje strikes timber!!

  The second wicket of the day falls shortly after Travis Head. Nic Maddisnson was looking in fine knick, but Anrich Nortje took the wicket of the Australian opener with a brutal yorker that absolutely castled his stumps. Unfortunately, Maddinson falls just two runs short of his half-century.

• 12 Oct 2026, 01:11:14 PM IST

  Travis Head GONE!!

  Australia have lost a wicket early on Day 4 of the first Test, as the dangerous Travis Head departs. The star opener launched a counterattack and was looking to score big, but Marco Jansen struck with ball that straightened after pitching up. Head hit the ball straight into the hands of Temba Bavuma at mid off.

• 12 Oct 2026, 12:55:06 PM IST

  Will bad light affect play again?

  All the three days of action in the South Africa vs Australia 1st Test has been massively hampered by the cloud cover, with bad light ending play early everyday. The weather forecast on Day 4 is also no different. According to Accuweather.com, there wil be 49-61% cloud coverage throughout the day, with it increasing with time. Hence, expect another shortened day of play.

• 12 Oct 2026, 12:39:04 PM IST

  A recap of the action so far!!

  Batting first, Australia were in trouble as they lost 6 wickets for 124 runs in the first innings. However, the visitors registered a stellar fightback as they managed to score 390, and were led by Matt Renshaw who slammed 190 runs. South Africa were then all out for 284, with Pat Cummins leading the charge with a three-wicket haul. Leading by 106 runs, Travis Head and Nic Maddinson, launched a brutal counterattack on the hosts, as they are now on 33/0, leading by 139 runs at the end of Day 3.

• 12 Oct 2026, 12:15:02 PM IST

  Hello and welcome!!

  Hello and welcome, as I, Shaunak Ghosh, bring you live updates from the action on Day 4 of the 1st Test between South Africa and Australia at the iconinc Kingsmead in Durban. Stay tuned for the all action that is set to unfold in what has been a good contest between two top teams.