Australia will be the happier of the two sides after day one of the third and final Test match against South Africa at Newlands in Cape Town. The Proteas made a blistering start to their first innings after losing the toss and being asked to bat.

But the hosts failed to take the initiative and slumped from 203 for one, to 232 for six early in the final session. South Africa was eventually bundled out for 329.

South Africa’s opening batsmen Aiden Markram and Marques Ackerman looked to take the game to Australia’s bowlers after being gifted the chance to bat first at Newlands. They were composed and aggressive, punishing the Aussie bowlers, who struggled to find a rythmn.

Playing some brave cricket, Ackerman notched up his maiden Test half-century from just 62 deliveries. Markram entertained the Cape Town faithful with some elegant stroke-play, as he too notched up a half-century, his 15th in Test cricket.

The pair took the Proteas to lunch, very much in control on 140 without loss. Ackerman continued his attacking play on the other side of the break, but it eventually led to his demise. He was stumped off the bowling of Nathan Lyon, agonisingly close to a maiden century on 95 as the off-spinner ended their epic 158-run opening stand.

Clawing their way back into the contest, the Aussie bowlers fashioned somewhat of a procession. Markram and David Bedingham shared in a 45-run second wicket partnership, before Markram was dismissed for 78.

Lyon struck again in the next over, bowling South African captain Temba Bavuma out for a duck, leaving the South Africans shaken on 204 for three.

Matthew Breetzke also departed cheaply for two a little while later, compliments of left-arm spinner Cooper Connolly as South Africa went to tea on 221 for the loss of four wickets.

Their capitulation continued after the break as the South Africans failed to capitalise on their good start. Bedingham scored a fifth Test 50, before he holed out to Josh Hazlewood who took a great catch at fine leg.

Quick Mitchell Starc struck again in the same over, this time removing Wiaan Mulder for a duck, leaving the home side reeling on 232 for six.

Ryan Rickleton and Marco Jansen led their recovery. Regaining some momentum, the pair put on 95 runs for the seventh wicket, with Jansen recording his sixth Test half-century.

It was Starc who wrapped up South Africa’s innings with the new ball, late in the final session. He trapped Rickleton leg before for 42 and two deliveries later he bowled Jansen out for 52.

He followed that up with the scalps of Gerald Coetzee and Kagiso Rabada, both without scoring , finishing with figures of six for 72, his 20th five wicket haul in Test cricket as the hosts were bowled out for 329 and stumps was taken.