Skipper Aiden Markram led from the front with a flamboyant half-century as South Africa registered a comprehensive 57-run win over Canada in their opening Group D T20 World Cup match.
Going into the 18th over with 18 runs needed to win, Markram finished off the game in spectacular fashion -- hitting a four and two sixes to seal the win in epic fashion with more than two overs to spare.
Aiden Markram replaced Temba Bavuma as T20I skipper of the South African national side.
South Africa's T20 captain Aiden Markram has withdrawn from The Hundred competition's Manchester Super Giants due to unspecified personal reasons. Jos Buttler will take over as captain, and Michael Bracewell will join as a replacement player.
Shukri Conrad has demanded sharper batting and greater mental toughness from South Africa after their 214-run defeat to Australia, urging composure over knee-jerk changes ahead of Sunday's second Test.
Josh Hazlewood claimed 6-49 as Australia crushed South Africa by 214 runs at Kingsmead, dismissing the hosts for 206 to take a 1-0 lead in the three-Test series.
South Africa has made significant changes to their squad for the second Test against Australia in Gqeberha, dropping Tristan Stubbs and calling up Matthew Breetzke. Ryan Rickelton will take over as wicketkeeper, likely leading to Kyle Verreynne's exclusion from the playing XI. These changes come after their heavy defeat in the first Test, with lead pacer Kagiso Rabada expected to return.
Matt Renshaw's career-best 190 propelled Australia to 390 all out, while Josh Hazlewood removed Ryan Rickelton cheaply as South Africa reached 27-1 before bad light intervened.
Veteran Australian pace bowler Scott Boland delivered a stellar performance in his first Test since January, taking 4-31 against South Africa in Gqeberha, leaving the hosts struggling at 97 for 5 and giving Australia a strong advantage in the series.
Scott Boland struck twice in successive deliveries to reduce South Africa to 20 for two on a rain-hit opening day, giving Australia the early advantage in the second Test.
South Africa has announced an 18-player preliminary squad for the upcoming three-match home Test series against Australia, including fast bowler Kagiso Rabada despite his current hamstring injury. Uncapped batter Marques Ackerman also earned a call-up.
Temba Bavuma blamed South Africa's lack of fight and mental lapses for their 214-run defeat to Australia, rejecting rustiness as an excuse ahead of the second Test.
South Africa's pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada will miss the first Test against Australia due to a hamstring injury, with captain Temba Bavuma confirming the team will field two spinners, Simon Harmer and Keshav Maharaj, for the Durban match.
Following South Africa's defeat in the 1st Test in Durban on Tuesday, October 13, Herschelle Gibbs wants Kagiso Rabada back, Marques Ackerman included and Ryan Rickelton moved down the order to keep wickets in the 2nd Test.
Aiden Markram's unbeaten 82 and a 95-run opening stand with Quinton de Kock powered South Africa to a nine-wicket win over West Indies, putting the Proteas on the brink of the T20 World Cup semi-finals.
South Africa captain Aiden Markram said his side clicked in all three departments of the game in their comfortable 57-run win over Canada in their opening Group D match of the T20 World Cup in Ahmedabad on Monday.
Australia need six wickets on final day to win first Test as South Africa were reduced to 102 for 4 at stumps on day four in Durban.
South Africa unveils T20 World Cup 2026 squad; Markram named captain
Aiden Markram praised South Africa's bowlers and fielders after a five-wicket win over Zimbabwe in the T20 World Cup Super 8s. The unbeaten Proteas now gear up for a semifinal clash against New Zealand in Kolkata.
Aiden Markram and Mitchell Santner's individual performances could potentially decide the outcome of the T20 World Cup semi-final on Wednesday.
South Africa, reeling from a 214-run defeat in the first Test against Australia, is determined to level the series in the second Test starting Sunday in Gqeberha. The hosts are expected to make several team changes, including the return of paceman Kagiso Rabada, as they look to overcome batting fragilities exposed in the previous match. Australia, despite their dominant win, might consider workload management for their fast bowlers amidst forecasts of persistent rain.
Aiden Markram discusses his strategy for separating his captaincy duties from his batting in T20Is, which has led to improved performance in the T20 World Cup. He emphasises focusing on his role as a batter to contribute to the team's success.
Architect of South Africa's series-levelling win in the second ODI against India here, Aiden Markram says scoring runs matters only when the team wins and he felt responsible for the visitors' defeat in the first ODI by a small margin.
S Africa select young guns Brevis, Pretorius for Australia tour
Limping Bavuma, Markram lead South Africa to brink of history.
South Africa captain Aiden Markram says his side is close to full potential after a dominant T20 World Cup win over New Zealand, edging nearer to the Super 8s.
Temba Bavuma will lead South Africa against Australia, with Gerald Coetzee recalled, Kagiso Rabada injured, and Dewald Brevis omitted as the Proteas strengthen World Cup preparations.
Steve Smith created history with a record 223rd Test catch as Australia took a 139-run lead over South Africa on Day 3 of the first Test at Kingsmead on Sunday.
South Africa won't dwell on T20 World Cup exit, Markram says
South Africa's batting hero Aiden Markram has taken longer than expected to deliver on his promise, but a match-winning century against Australia in the World Test Championship final is being hailed as the biggest in the country's cricketing history.
South Africa's Aiden Markram created a new world record for the most catches by a fielder in a Test match, during the second Test against India in Guwahati on Wednesday.
Conrad conceded that South Africa were a "batter light" but explained that if the players they have were willing to play with a little more self-confidence, it could work in Proteas' favour.
Dewald "AB Baby" Brevis equalled JP Duminy's 71 sixes in just 35 T20Is, starred with 226 series runs, won Player of the Series, and helped South Africa clinch the title.
Mumbai Indians and Lucknow Super Giants, both struggling in the tournament, face off in a match where Jasprit Bumrah's bowling against Lucknow's top order will be crucial.
Shardul Thakur pulled off a breathtaking catch that sent the Lucknow crowd into a frenzy and derailed Titans' late charge.
Finn Allen's record-breaking century powered New Zealand to a dominant victory over South Africa in the T20 World Cup semi-final, securing their place in the final.
Virat Kohli, Ruturaj Gaikwad hundreds help India set 359-run target in second ODI
Australia's middle-order batting struggles, particularly against spin, led to their ODI series defeat against South Africa. Despite strong starts from openers, the team consistently faltered in the middle overs, a concern acknowledged by captain Mitch Marsh as a crucial learning experience ahead of the 2027 Cricket World Cup.
Keshav Maharaj took 4/22 as South Africa thrashed a woeful England side by seven wickets after dismissing the hosts for just 131 runs in the first One-Day International.
Aiden Markram himself knows what he is capable of -- and how to express it on a cricket field. And South Africa will be the biggest beneficiary in the coming years.
