Batting first, South Africa posted 297/8 in their allotted 50 overs, with Matthew Breetzke and Marco Jansen providing the backbone of the innings. Breetzke anchored the Proteas’ effort with an impressive 112 – his second ODI century – while Jansen produced a powerful 75 off just 59 balls.

Breetzke’s knock was a fine combination of patience and aggression. He struck 14 fours and two sixes as he held the innings together through some testing periods before eventually finding another gear.

Matthew Breetzke reaches his 2nd ODI ton. Photo: Cricinfo

Captain Temba Bavuma contributed 30, while Ryan Rickelton added 27, but it was the 101-run partnership between Breetzke and Jansen that ultimately gave the Proteas the platform they needed.

Jansen’s counter-attacking innings included seven fours and four sixes, with the all-rounder reaching 75 for the second time in his ODI career.

Marco Jansen once again proved that he is a genuine all-rounder. Photo: Cricinfo

Nathan Ellis was the pick of the Australian bowlers with 3/57 in his 10 overs, while Adam Zampa claimed 2/50. Australia made a flying start to their run chase, with captain Mitchell Marsh taking the attack to the Proteas.

Marsh smashed 60 off just 36 deliveries, including five fours and six sixes, before his entertaining innings came to an end when he was caught by Breetzke off the bowling of Keshav Maharaj with the score on 90 in the 10th over.

Adam Zampa took two wickets for Australia. Photo: Cricinfo

From there, however, the Proteas gradually wrestled back control. Matt Renshaw offered some resistance with 44 off 49 balls, while Cooper Connolly scored 38 off 42 and Travis Head chipped in with 36 off 37.

At one stage, Australia appeared to be well on course in the chase, but Connolly’s dismissal by Bjorn Fortuin sparked a crucial change in momentum.

The Proteas seized the opportunity and turned the screw.

Mitchell March got the Australian chase off to a blistering start. Photo: Cricinfo

Local hero Maharaj was outstanding with the ball, producing a superb spell to finish with 4/20 in 9.2 overs. His accuracy and control proved crucial as Australia slipped from a promising position into trouble.

Fortuin claimed 2/34, while Corbin Bosch finished with 2/67. Gerald Coetzee and Jansen also claimed a wicket apiece as Australia were eventually bowled out for 230.

Following the important victory, Breetzke said he was delighted to have contributed with the bat, particularly after having to negotiate some difficult conditions early in his innings.

“Yeah, obviously I feel pretty good that I got some runs and that we won the game,” said Breetzke.

“It was pretty tricky early on, so to get runs under those conditions, I feel pretty happy.

“I think any century you get for your country is an emotional moment. Obviously, it’s a proud moment for me and my family, but I think it was more about how difficult it was in the beginning and how I had to fight through it mentally.

Marco Jansen pulled off a spectacular catch in the deep. Photo: Cricinfo

“There were a few stages where I wanted to take a risk, and then we kept losing wickets. So, when I got to that century mark, it was a bit of a relief, and I’m just very grateful.”

Breetzke also paid tribute to Jansen, whose aggressive approach helped shift the momentum of the Proteas’ innings.

“It was a special innings from Marco. He helped my innings a lot, where I could just feed him the strike. He got a few away early on,” Breetzke added.

Keshav Maharaj celebrates one of his four wickets. Photo: Cricinfo

“It was never the plan for him to go guns blazing, but we fed off each other’s energy.

“He was another big difference in the game and changed the momentum of our innings, so that was really awesome from him – and then the catch was really special. He does special things, and that was a special catch.”

The Proteas will now turn their attention to the second ODI, with the series moving to Johannesburg. The second One-Day International between South Africa and Australia will be played at the Wanderers on Sunday, with the first ball at the Bullring scheduled for 10:00.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek sm