Pat Cummins claimed 3-54 as Australia took a 139-run lead against South Africa at stumps on day three of the first Test in Durban.
A collective bowling effort from Australia saw South Africa bowled out for 284 in their first innings, with Mitchell Starc (2-63), Josh Hazlewood (2-54) and Nathan Lyon (2-58) also among the wickets.
Australia scored 390 runs in their first innings with Matt Renshaw hitting a career-best 190 to help the visitors recover from a precarious 124-6.
Smith celebrates one of his three catches
In their second innings, Australia were 33-0 at stumps from 5.4 overs – Nic Maddinson 17no and Travis Head 10no – when play was called off early again due to bad light, with nearly 13 overs lost in the day.
David Bedingham top-scored for South Africa with 49 off 73 balls. The hosts were 197-8 at one stage before a 52-run ninth-wicket partnership between Keshav Maharaj (34) and Simon Harmer (35no) repaired some of the damage.
South Africa are the reigning world Test champions and beat Australia in the 2025 final. It is Australia’s first trip to the country since the 2018 ball-tampering scandal when they last toured there.
Australia bowlers make difference on day three
Australia captain Pat Cummins fields-off his own bowling
South Africa were down to 115-4 at lunch. Starting from 27-1 on day two, Aiden Markram (37) and Bedingham added 57 runs to their overnight partnership.
The breakthrough for Australia came just before drinks when Markram edged Starc to slip in the 21st over.
South Africa scored 59-1 in the first hour. In the second hour, Temba Bavuma (3) was out caught off Lyon – Steve Smith taking a well-judged catch as Bavuma went for a reverse sweep.
Australia’s Travis Head takes a catch and dismisses Marco Jansen
Cummins then had Bedingham caught in the slips with Smith taking another great catch to his left.
After lunch, Cummins struck again. Wiaan Mulder was the first to go – he scored 30 off 50 balls with three fours and a six, adding 56 with Tristan Stubbs.
Stubbs fell soon after for 32 – caught at square leg, again off Cummins.
South Africa’s Jansen plays a high ball
Lyon had Kyle Verreynne caught at slip for 13 as South Africa stumbled to 197-7. Marco Jansen hit six fours for a 20-ball 26, before holing out off Hazlewood.
South Africa were 238-8 at tea with Harmer and Maharaj able to go past the follow-on mark. Their 50-partnership ended when Starc dismissed Maharaj.
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