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Matthew Breetzke was named Player of the Match after his century helped set up South Africa's 67-run victory over Australia in the first ODI at Kingsmead Stadium.

The Defabet Warriors and Proteas batter scored his second ODI century, making 112 from 106 balls to help South Africa post a competitive 297/8. Breetzke is clearly enjoying his ODI cricket, particularly after his previous ODI innings against Namibia ended with just four runs.

Breetzke walked to the crease with South Africa on 29/2 after 7.1 overs and returned to the dressing room when the Proteas had reached 275. During his stay at the crease, he was involved in four important partnerships with Temba Bavuma, Ryan Rickelton, David Miller and Marco Jansen.

What stood out was how Breetzke adapted his role in each partnership. He had to play differently depending on the batter at the other end, showing how switched on he was throughout his innings.

His contribution did not end with the bat. Breetzke also took three catches, and ironically, all three came off the bowling of Keshav Maharaj.

The first and last wickets of Australia's innings were catches taken by Breetzke, while perhaps the most important was the dismissal of Mitch Marsh at extra cover. Marsh had raced to a 36-ball 60 and Australia were threatening to take control of the chase before Maharaj found a way through him.

Marco Jansen also had a major influence on the match, contributing with both bat and ball. With Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi and Anrich Nortje absent, Jansen was effectively leading the Proteas' pace attack. It was not his most dominant day with the ball, but his wicket of Travis Head, which a leading edge that went to David Miller, was an important breakthrough and a confidence booster for the tall all-rounder.

Jansen's biggest contribution, however, came with the bat. He joined Breetzke with South Africa on 168/5 and the pair produced the defining partnership of the Proteas' innings, adding 107 runs from just 81 balls for the sixth wicket.

Unlike his previous partnerships in the innings, Jansen was the aggressor in this one. He eventually finished with 75 from 59 balls, including four sixes, giving South Africa the late acceleration they desperately needed.

Jansen also produced four catches in the match and possibly the catch of the summer when he dismissed Matt Renshaw with a spectacular one-handed diving catch at cow corner and he made the catch with his weaker hand.

His catch of Jack Edwards at slip off Maharaj's bowling should not be overlooked either. For a player of his height, Jansen has shown that he is more than capable of fielding in the slips.

Then there was Keshav Maharaj. The Proteas spinner was playing at home and proved once again that there is no place like home.

At a stage when it looked as though Australia were heading towards victory, Maharaj came into the attack and immediately made his presence felt.

Marsh, who recently signed with Sunrisers Eastern Cape for the Betway SA20, looked determined to establish his authority against Maharaj early in the innings. But the South African spin maestro reminded Marsh whose house he was in, dismissing him in his second over.

From there, Maharaj and Bjorn Fortuin became critical to South Africa's defence. The pair took six wickets between them while conceding just 2.4 and 4.6 runs per over respectively.

Maharaj finished with outstanding figures of 4/20 from 9.2 overs, dismissing Marsh, Cameron Green, Jack Edwards and Adam Zampa. Zampa's wicket was the final wicket of the Australian innings and sealed South Africa's 67-run victory in the opening match of the three-match ODI series.

Breetzke received the Player of the Match award, but the victory was built on three very different contributions: his century provided the foundation, Jansen's all-round performance gave South Africa the late push they needed, and Maharaj's spell helped turn Australia's chase on its head.

The series now moves to Johannesburg on 27 September for the Pink ODI, with the match also supporting breast cancer awareness initiatives.