After a shocking start, a poor toss decision compounded by a wayward bowling performance in the first two hours, Australia stormed back into the Test in the afternoon.
They were aided by some reckless South African batting as their lucky hookers allowed a 203-1 position to become 232-6.
Aiden Markram, David Bedingham and Wiaan Mulder were all trying to attack the short balls – for 78, 50 and zero respectively.
In the 95th minute, opener Marques Ackerman overtook Nathan Lyon’s with the glory of a maiden Protea century in his second Test in his sights and captain Temba Bavuma was undone by a Lyon straight ball.
Either side of a knock of 179 last week, Bavuma got out three times in three innings – all for single-digit scores.
And while Australia stuck to their task in the afternoon, fielding well and drying up the score after 140 runs were leaked at more than four runs an over in the first session, what was most impressive was the way Mitchell Starc thundered in the final moments of the day.
At 327-6, South Africa could have ended this exciting day – a decisive match in which the winner will end the series at the top of the table – in the ascendancy.
Instead, Starc took four wickets in six deliveries with the new ball, bowling first Ryan Rickelton for 42 and Marco Jansen 52.
He targeted the pads and stumps, bowled Gerald Coetzee and pinned Kagiso Rabada lbw for the ducks. South Africa was at 329.
One way or another, after all, if either side is happy, it’s Australia.
Gn sports
