South Africa close on 102-4 chasing 421 after Renshaw takes first Test wicket

Australia left South Africa facing a difficult final day in the first Test in Durban, reducing the hosts to 102-4 after setting a target of 421. According to BBC Sport's day-four report, South Africa still require 319 runs, while Australia need six more wickets to complete victory in the opening match of the series.

Watch the highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIu8_GH7Lqo

Matt Renshaw added a bowling milestone to his contributions with the bat, dismissing South Africa captain Temba Bavuma with his off-spin for his first Test wicket. Renshaw had scored 190 in Australia's first innings and again helped build the tourists' second innings before they declared on 314-6. The match is his second since returning from a three-year absence from Test cricket.

Pat Cummins then removed Tristan Stubbs late in the day, following a sequence of shorter deliveries with a fuller ball that drew an edge. Josh Hazlewood finished the day with figures of 2-20. Earlier, Ryan Rickelton had fallen in the fourth over after top-edging a pull, giving Australia an early breakthrough as South Africa began their pursuit.

Aiden Markram remained unbeaten on 45 from 115 balls at the close. He had shared a 66-run partnership with David Bedingham, who made 46, as South Africa sought to stabilise their innings. Markram's resistance left him central to the hosts' hopes of avoiding defeat. He previously scored 136 in the fourth innings when South Africa beat Australia in the 2025 World Test Championship final at Lord's.

The Durban match also puts South Africa's unbeaten Test record under Bavuma's captaincy at risk. BBC Sport reported that they have won 11 and drawn one of their Tests under him, including that championship final. This series contains three Tests against Australia, with South Africa also due to host Bangladesh for two Tests and England for three during their home summer.

Bad light had shortened each of the first three days, but did not prevent Australia's late breakthroughs on the fourth evening. The tourists batted until tea before declaring, leaving the contest unresolved with a day remaining. South Africa have six wickets in hand to resist Australia's attack, with Markram still at the crease and a substantial distance remaining to the target.