Live: South African batters digging in as Durban Test nears gripping finale

Australia needs six wickets to win the first Test against South Africa as the Kingsmead contest comes down to the fifth day.

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Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 5:50pmTue 13 Oct 2026 at 5:50pm

Live: South Africa vs Australia — first Test in Durban

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Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 6:06pmTue 13 Oct 2026 at 6:06pm

The state of play

By Jon Healy

The equations are pretty simple today:

• South Africa is 4-102 with Aiden Markram (45) and Wiaan Mulder (5) at the crease
• The Proteas are still 319 runs from an unlikely victory
• Australia needs six more wickets
• We are supposed to squeeze in 98 overs today

The only complicating factor will be whether light will cut the day short as it did on the first three days?

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Tue 13 Oct 2026 at 5:50pmTue 13 Oct 2026 at 5:50pm

We have ourselves a five-day Test!

By Jon Healy

Hello and welcome to ABC Sport's live blog of the fifth day of the opening Test between Australia and South Africa at Kingsmead in Durban.

Yes, you read that right: the FIFTH day of a Test match.

Sure, we had a little help from the overhead conditions robbing us of 60 overs in the first three days, but sometimes it's about the destination rather than the journey.

We're here and all three results are technically still possible, so let's get into it.