Aiden Markram’s fluent 82 set the tone for South Africa’s total of 296 for 8 in the first One-Day International against a transitioning Australian side in Cairns on Tuesday.
Promoted to open in ODIs for the first time since 2021, Markram struck nine boundaries in his 81-ball knock, providing the early impetus in sunny conditions at Cazaly’s Stadium.
Captain Temba Bavuma (65) and Matthew Breetzke (57) added further substance to the innings as the Proteas bounced back strongly from their 2-1 T20I series defeat.
Australia, in the early stages of a post-Champions Trophy rebuild following the retirements of Steve Smith and Glenn Maxwell, now face a challenging chase with an inexperienced batting line-up.
South Africa’s attack will, however, be without spearhead Kagiso Rabada, who was ruled out of the series with an ankle injury earlier in the day.
The visitors started briskly, racing to 68 without loss before Ryan Rickelton (33) fell after surviving two close shaves — an overturned lbw decision and a dropped edge by Josh Inglis off Travis Head.
Markram looked well-set for a fourth ODI century before edging behind off Ben Dwarshuis, who claimed his first ODI wicket.
Breetzke’s fluent knock, in just his third ODI, briefly lifted the tempo before a middle-order wobble saw South Africa lose three wickets for just seven runs, including the dismissals of Breetzke, Tristan Stubbs (0) and Dewald Brevis (6).
Brevis, making his ODI debut after a promising T20 series, announced himself with a first-ball six but was dismissed soon after, holing out to Head.
Head was the pick of the bowlers, finishing with 4 for 57, helping Australia claw back momentum in the second half of the innings. South Africa’s total sets up an intriguing chase for an Australian side in transition, with 297 required for a 1-0 series lead.