Faf du Plessis praises South Africa's character in defeat

Proteas captain says his team showed great ability to fightback despite losing the first Test to Australia at Durban

Australia took just 22 deliveries to seal victory on Monday after South Africa had dug in on the fourth day to ensure the contest would go a fifth.

Mitchell Starc scythed through South Africa’s tail as the light began to fade on the evening of day four and Josh Hazlewood removed Quinton de Kock the following morning to secure a 118-run victory and 1-0 series lead.

Du Plessis says his side must take responsibility and learn from the result but also had praise for his team’s efforts over the five days.

“It was very disappointing … We would have liked to start the series on a positive note. There are quite a bit of learning opportunities for us to take from this Test going forward. Our bowlers were good in this Test, both teams were 160 for five in all four innings so the learning we can take is to put more pressure on the tail. 

“If you look at them (Australia), once they got through our top seven batsmen it was quite easy for them to get through the tail.

^{Faf reflects on the first Test}

“We will need to take a lot more responsibility with the bat … Once you get an opportunity to scores runs you must go big. I’m really proud of the character, when most teams are in a position of strength in a Test match other teams could rock up on day four and be bullied all day. 

“It was great to see the fight from our bowlers on Saturday to bowl them out for 200. We didn’t have a great start with the bat but saw great character from the young guys which started their series off well.”

At 49 for four, chasing 417, the Proteas looked to be on their way to a heavy defeat but an indefatigable effort from Aiden Markram gave the hosts hope.

Markram (143) shared defiant stands of 87 with Theunis de Bruyn and 147 with Quinton de Kock as South Africa threatened something special. 

But it wasn’t to be, Markram’s fine innings - his third Test hundred, and highest score to date - came to an end when he was caught behind off Mitchell Marsh, and with that, Australia sniffed blood.

^{Markram's highest Test score was ultimately in vain}

“That was a brilliant knock … It says a lot about his character,” said Markram’s skipper.

“He went through a tough phase during the one-dayers against India and you judge a guy by how he stands up during tough times. 

“The run out between him and AB (De Villiers) would have been weighing on his mind, and Australia were trying to put pressure on him about it. To get through that says a lot about a young guy, the belief that he has in himself. We know the talent that he has as a batsman and it is great to see him score a terrific Test hundred.”

Meanwhile the Proteas could be bolstered by the return of Dale Steyn who is hoping to be back in the mix for the third Test at Newlands.

The second Test starts on Friday at Port Elizabeth.