Marco Jansen took a one-handed catch with two fingers at the deep midwicket boundary to dismiss Matt Renshaw for 44 in the first ODI at Kingsmead on 24 September. Australia were 215/7 and needed 83 from 82 balls. The chase never recovered, and South Africa won by 67 runs.
Gerald Coetzee dropped short in the 37th over. Renshaw went for the pull and the ball came off the splice. Jansen ran to his right, stretched out his right hand as he slid, and held it with just his thumb and index finger.
Everyone saw the dive. What made the catch stick came a split second later, and it is the part most fielders get wrong.
Here’s how our commentators described this epic catch from Marco Jansen 🔥#SAvsAUS https://t.co/nVeXEvCal9 pic.twitter.com/PcZtxChENC
— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) September 25, 2026
Cricbuzz commentary called it on the ball:
“Oh my! Jansen has pulled off something spectacular.”
Cricbuzz commentary, 1st ODI, 24 September 2026
On the broadcast, Natalie Germanos could hardly believe it.
“That is sensational! Marco Jansen what did you just do? Sticks out the big mitt and takes an unbelievable catch.”
Natalie Germanos, on-air commentary, 24 September 2026
Shaun Pollock focused on the ground Jansen covered.
“He had no right getting to that ball. It looked like he was on a treadmill.”
Shaun Pollock, on-air commentary, 24 September 2026
Dale Steyn went further on X.
“Marco Jansen has the best hands in cricket”
Dale Steyn, X, 24 September 2026
Insider Read
At full stretch, your hand wants to squeeze the ball, and that is the mistake. The back of the hand hits the turf on landing, the jolt runs through the fingers, and the ball spills. Most catches like this are held in the air and lost on the ground.
Jansen rolled his wrist as he slid, so his knuckles took the ground and the ball stayed clear. That comes from years of diving drills, not instinct in the moment. With two fingers on the ball, one hard landing would have ended it, and the twist is why Renshaw walked off.
The catch capped a full match for Jansen.
| Jansen’s match | |
|---|---|
| Batting | 75 off 59, 4 sixes, equalling his ODI best |
| Partnership | 107 for the sixth wicket with Matthew Breetzke (112) |
| Fielding | 4 catches, including Travis Head at slip |
| Bowling | 1 wicket |
South Africa made 297/8 and bowled Australia out for 230. They lead the three-match series 1-0.
The second ODI is at the Wanderers in Johannesburg on 27 September.
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