Australia barbecued South Africa in Durban. This team’s sunset may be glorious

October 14, 2026 — 5:00am

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Durban: As smoke from a post-match braai wafted over Kingsmead, Australia’s Test team could be heard singing and carousing in celebration of a 214-run mauling of South Africa.

The team chant, Under the Southern Cross, was belted out twice in the dressing room (“second verse, same as the first”), about three hours after Josh Hazlewood claimed the final wicket. They had truly barbecued South Africa, the kind of performance that, by its sheer dominance, should be cause for a reappraisal of Pat Cummins’ team.

Following last summer’s Ashes defeat of England, and fuelled by a spotty 1-1 home draw with Bangladesh, there has been much written and said lately about how this ageing team has to be one in decline.

That narrative has been strengthened by the lack of runs emanating from domestic ranks, culminating in the decision to recall 34-year-old Nic Maddinson for this series instead of flying over any number of young players who had been playing for Australia A in India.

In South Africa, too, there had been a degree of confidence that, having knocked off the Australians in the World Test Championship final at Lord’s last year, the Proteas were well-placed to repeat the dose on home soil, perhaps helped by the memories of the infamous 2018 series, sandpapergate and all........

© The Age