South Africa lost six wickets to Mitchell Starc in the final session to be all out for 329 at the end the first day of the third Dafabet test at YesPlay Newlands in Cape Town on Tuesday.

The Proteas had resumed after tea on 221 for four with David Bedingham and Ryan Rickelton at the crease. Despite a 95-run stand between Marco Jansen (52) and Rickelton (42), it was all Australia, and more to the point, all Starc.

South Africa lost their last four wickets for just two runs as Starc (16.3-2-72-6) tore the tail to pieces. Bedingham, who struck seven boundaries, was trapped in front by Starc for 50. Wiaan Mulder lasted just two deliveries, being caught behind by Alex Carey from the bowling of Starc without troubling the scorers.

Rickelton played the anchor, facing 83 deliveries and striking five boundaries while Jansen, fresh from his 85 in Gqberha, struck seven fours himself from 71 balls. However, as soon as the new ball was available, Pat Cummins (18-3-73-0) had no hesitation in asking the umpires to throw him the new cherry.

Starc was absolutely devastating. First removing Rickleton, trapping the South African wicketkeeper plumb in front for 42. He then removed Jansen, with the ball crashing into the stumps to leave the home crowd stunned with Jansen departing for 52.

Gerald Coetzee was next to go, with Starc bowling Coetzee off his pads without scoring before finishing off the Proteas innings as Kagiso Rabada was sent packing - despite a fruitless review - plumb in front for a second-ball duck.

Cummins had won the toss under sunny skies and surprisingly, asked South Africa to bat first. Marques Ackerman (95) and Aiden Markram were sublime in the morning session, taking the hosts to 140 without loss at the lunch break.

Ackerman brought up his maiden test fifty before ending the session on a speedy 82 from 75 balls. Markram struck nine boundaries and a six from 87 balls, going to lunch on 56, his 15th test fifty.

The second session belonged to Australia though as Nathan Lyon (23-1-71-2) accounted for Ackerman and captain Temba Bavuma. Ackerman was ultra-aggressive against the spinner, but Lyon had the last laugh as Ackerman came dancing down the wicket once too-often and was stumped by Carey just five runs short of a maiden test ton.

Bavuma lasted just three balls before being bowled by Lyon. Josh Hazlewood had Markram caught by Starc down the ground for 78. Cooper Connolly (9-0-41-1) got in on the act, having Maathew Breetzke trapped in front for just two to leave the home side at 221 for four at the tea break.

South Africa will be disappointed in having gone from 158 without loss to 329 all out, effectively losing 10 wickets for just 171 runs in the day.

SOUTH AFRICA: Aiden Markram, Marques Ackerman, David Bedingham, Temba Bavuma (capt), Matthew Breetzke, Ryan Rickelton (wk), Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Simon Harmer, Gerald Coetzee, Kagiso Rabada.

AUSTRALIA: Travis Head, Matthew Renshaw, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Josh Inglis, Alex Carey (wk), Cooper Connolly, Pat Cummins (capt), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.

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