Temba Bavuma after first Test defeat: 'Not the way you want to start a series'

The Proteas made a roaring start in the opening Test of the three-match series, reducing Australia to 124-6 on day 1, but were flat for the remaining four days as the tourists showed why they are currently number 1 in the Test standings.

Bavuma had an unblemished record as Test skipper before the outing at Kingsmead, winning 11 and a draw in his previous 12 games, including beating Australia in the World Test Championship final at Lord's on in June 2025.

The Proteas will now lick their wounds and will look to bounce back strongly when the second Test of the series gets underway at St George's Park in Gqeberha from Sunday.

"It is disappointing. It's not the way you want to start a series, any kind of series, let alone just against a top outfit like Australia," Bavuma said after game.

"The emotions are obviously still a little bit high. You probably want that to settle before you get into the conversations but there are obvious things that we could definitely improve on.

"No one is happy in that change-room, looking at the result that has played out."

The Proteas' batting unit in particular will come under scrutiny after the defeat, with only Aiden Markram (37 and 75) and David Bedingham (49 and 46) showing any sort of resistance required against a world-class Australia bowling attack.

The tourists racked up a total of 390 in the first innings with Matt Renshaw showing the necessary application of a proper Test batter to score 190 from 397 balls while sending close to eight hours at the crease.

"I definitely don't think guys were throwing caution to the wind, playing recklessly or anything like that," Bavuma said.

On facing the relentless Aussie bowling unit Bavuma added: "I think it's a certain level of pressure that maybe some of the guys weren't really accustomed to. I think there's no one where you feel that you’re taking a breather.

"I mean, those guys have been playing for the last century, you know, and they've been doing it successfully.

"In saying that, whatever cobwebs were there, I guess that will be dusted out, hopefully, and we have another opportunity come a couple of days' time in Gqeberha."