Mitch Marsh has led Australia to a massive 111-run win over South Africa with a scorching 92 not out in the Twenty20 series opener in Durban.

Marsh's unbeaten 49-ball knock in his first game as captain propelled Australia to 6-226 after they were sent in to bat at Kingsmead.

He was ably supported by Tim David, who clattered 64 off 39 as they broke the record for Australia's highest fifth-wicket partnership in T20s with 97 in 8.2 overs together.

"It's always nice to start a three-match series with a win, and my job is to score runs, so it was nice to get a couple," Marsh told Fox Cricket after winning the player-of-the-match award.

"I thought Tim David was fantastic, the way he batted took the pressure off me.

"It was a really good partnership, and he batted beautifully."

Leg spinner Tanveer Sangha was the pick of the bowlers in his T20 debut for Australia, finishing with figures of 4-31 as the tourists skittled the Proteas for just 115 inside 16 overs.

"Amazing. He's done that in the Big Bash and for NSW for the last couple of years," Marsh said of Sangha.

"He's a fantastic young talent. To come in and do that, he's got great character, and he's going to fit right into international cricket."

Australia's victory was their largest ever in a T20 against South Africa, bettering the 107-run win in Johannesburg in 2020.

Their total was also the biggest for a T20 international at Kingsmead, eclipsing the 4-218 posted by England against South Africa in 2020.

Australia entered the series without Pat Cummins (wrist), Mitchell Starc (groin), Steve Smith (wrist), Glenn Maxwell (ankle), Josh Hazlewood, Cameron Green and David Warner, allowing four rookies to earn their first caps.

Spencer Johnson stood tall on debut, with the South Australian speedster taking 2-33, including the wicket of the only South African batter who made it past 50, opener Reeza Hendricks, who had belted him out of the opening attack with 15 off his second over.

Opener Matthew Short and all-rounder Aaron Hardie scored 20 off 11 and 23 off 14 respectively.

The white-ball tour of South Africa is Australia's next step of preparation ahead of October's ODI World Cup in India.