South Africa’s recent dominance and Australia’s Kingsmead record set up an intriguing ODI series opener in Durban.
South Africa and Australia renew their ODI rivalry at Kingsmead on Thursday, with the first ball scheduled for 10am.
The Proteas have controlled this rivalry in recent years, but Australia arrive on a four-match winning streak in the format. Here are the numbers behind the series opener.
57-52: Proteas hold the edge
South Africa lead the men’s ODI head-to-head with 57 wins to Australia’s 52, with another three matches ending in ties.
They are also the only country with a positive win-loss record against Australia in men’s ODI cricket.
Five series in a row
The Proteas have won their past five bilateral ODI series against Australia, the longest winning streak by either side in this rivalry.
The run began with a 5-0 home whitewash in 2016, followed by a 2-1 win in Australia in 2018, a 3-0 victory at home in 2020, a 3-2 comeback in 2023 and another 2-1 triumph in Australia in August 2025.
Australia’s last bilateral ODI series win over South Africa came in November 2014, when they won 4-1.
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Seven from eight at Kingsmead
South Africa have won seven of their past eight men’s ODIs at Kingsmead, including their previous two.
Australia have still enjoyed plenty of success in Durban, winning six of their nine ODIs at the venue. Before losing their last visit in 2016, the Aussies had won five consecutive matches there.
372: Miller’s Kingsmead miracle
The last ODI between these teams at Kingsmead produced a classic.
Australia made 371-6 in October 2016, with David Warner scoring 117 and Steve Smith 108.
South Africa chased it down, reaching 372-6 in 49.2 overs to win by four wickets with four balls remaining. David Miller finished unbeaten on 118 from 79 balls, while Quinton de Kock struck 70 from 49.
Both Miller and De Kock are in South Africa’s squad for today’s opener.
59.16: Breetzke’s flying start
Matthew Breetzke comes into his first home ODI series averaging 59.16 after 13 innings.
His international career started with 150 against New Zealand before scores of 83, 57, 88 and 85 in his next four innings.
46.2: Inglis keeps piling on runs
Josh Inglis has scored 554 runs at an average of 46.2 across his past 13 ODI innings.
Since the beginning of 2026, 65.2% of his 331 ODI runs have come on the off side, the highest proportion among players with at least 170 runs during that period.
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72: Bosch making his runs count
Corbin Bosch has scored 144 runs at an average of 72 across his past four ODI innings in which he has batted.
He has also attacked 70.5% of the 228 deliveries he has faced in ODIs since the start of 2025, the highest rate among players who have faced at least 70 balls.
Four wins on the bounce
Australia arrive in Durban after sweeping Zimbabwe 3-0 and have now won four consecutive ODIs.
They have scored at more than 5.4 runs per over in each of those four matches, having failed to reach that rate in any of their previous six.
South Africa also enter the series with three consecutive wins after sweeping Namibia earlier this month.
Cummins and Markram miss opener
Pat Cummins has been confirmed out of today’s first ODI as Australia manage his workload ahead of the Test series. Mitchell Marsh will captain Australia in his absence, although Cummins could feature later in the ODI series.
Aiden Markram will also miss the opener for personal reasons and is available for the second and third matches.
With South Africa’s recent record against Australia, the Proteas’ Kingsmead form and Australia’s current winning run, there is plenty behind the numbers before the first ball in Durban.
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