Mitchell Starc claimed six wickets as Australia fought back from a difficult opening session to bowl South Africa out for 329 on Day 1 of the third and final Test at Newlands in Cape Town.

South Africa appeared to be in control after Aiden Markram (78) and Marques Ackerman (95) shared a 158-run opening partnership, but the visitors responded with regular breakthroughs before Starc produced a devastating spell with the second new ball.

David Bedingham (50) and Marco Jansen (52) also registered half-centuries, while Ryan Rickelton contributed 42 as the Proteas recovered from 232/6 to reach a competitive first-innings total.

However, Australia will take confidence from their comeback after South Africa had threatened to build a considerably larger score.

Markram and Ackerman Dominate Opening Session

Australia captain Pat Cummins won the toss and elected to bowl first, a decision that raised some eyebrows given the appearance of the Newlands surface.

The pitch had a brown, grassless appearance, and with clear skies and sunshine greeting the players on a pleasant Cape Town morning, conditions appeared favourable for batting.

Markram and Ackerman made the most of the opportunity.

The pair approached the opening session with confidence, leaving deliveries outside off stump, rotating the strike and punishing anything loose.

Although a few deliveries bounced sharply, the surface generally offered consistent pace and bounce, allowing the batters to settle into their innings.

South Africa reached 50 in just 12.3 overs before Ackerman brought up his maiden Test half-century off 62 deliveries.

Playing only his second Test, the left-hander looked increasingly comfortable against Australia’s experienced bowling attack, combining solid defence with attacking strokeplay.

Markram followed with his 15th Test half-century, reaching the milestone off 81 balls.

The Proteas continued to build their partnership without losing a wicket, reaching lunch on an imposing 140/0 after 27 overs.

Ackerman was unbeaten on 82 off 75 balls, while Markram had contributed 56 off 87 deliveries.

It was an outstanding opening session for South Africa, who had placed themselves in a strong position to build a substantial first-innings total.

Ackerman Falls Five Runs Short of Maiden Century

Australia were presented with an early opportunity after lunch when Nathan Lyon dropped Ackerman on 82.

The missed chance proved costly in the short term as the opening partnership continued to grow.

However, Lyon eventually made amends in the 32nd over.

With Ackerman approaching what would have been his maiden Test century, the left-hander advanced down the pitch to attack the off-spinner.

Lyon spotted the movement and delivered the ball flatter and wider, leaving Ackerman unable to reach it.

Wicketkeeper Alex Carey completed a straightforward stumping, dismissing Ackerman for an entertaining 95 off 94 balls, including 12 fours and two sixes.

The dismissal ended an excellent 158-run opening partnership and gave Australia their first breakthrough of the day.

For Ackerman, it was a disappointing end to an innings that had demonstrated his potential at Test level.

Nevertheless, his contribution had provided South Africa with a strong foundation.

Australia Fight Back as Proteas Lose Momentum

Markram and Bedingham added 45 runs for the second wicket, taking South Africa beyond 200.

However, Australia’s persistence began to pay off.

Markram, who had looked well set for a century, attempted to pull a short delivery from Josh Hazlewood in the 45th over.

The ball did not rise as much as expected, and Markram mistimed his shot towards the long-leg boundary.

Starc produced an excellent diving catch to dismiss the opener for 78 off 141 balls, leaving South Africa on 203/2.

The dismissal triggered a significant shift in momentum.

Just four deliveries later, captain Temba Bavuma was bowled for a duck by Lyon.

The off-spinner delivered a beautifully flighted ball around off stump that beat Bavuma’s defensive stroke and struck the stumps.

South Africa had slipped to 204/3.

Matthew Breetzke then became Cooper Connolly’s maiden Test wicket after Australia successfully reviewed an LBW appeal.

Breetzke was struck on the pad while attempting to defend, with ball-tracking confirming that the delivery would have hit the top of off stump.

He departed for two, leaving the Proteas on 216/4.

By tea, South Africa had reached 221/4, with Bedingham unbeaten on 41 and Rickelton on two.

After dominating the morning session, the hosts had lost four wickets for 81 runs in the afternoon.

Starc Strikes Twice as South Africa Slip to 232/6

Australia continued to apply pressure after tea, with Starc using the short ball to devastating effect.

Bedingham reached his half-century off 78 deliveries, but his innings ended shortly afterwards.

Attempting to pull a short delivery from Starc, Bedingham top-edged the ball towards fine leg.

Hazlewood produced an outstanding piece of boundary fielding, taking the catch, releasing the ball before stepping over the rope and returning to complete the dismissal.

Bedingham departed for 50 off 80 balls, leaving South Africa on 232/5.

Just two deliveries later, Starc struck again.

Wiaan Mulder attempted to pull a sharp bouncer but was beaten by the pace and bounce, edging the delivery through to Carey.

Mulder was dismissed for a two-ball duck, and South Africa had suddenly collapsed to 232/6.

From a commanding position of 158/0, the Proteas had lost six wickets for 74 runs.

Australia were firmly back in the contest.

Jansen and Rickelton Lead Proteas Recovery

With South Africa in danger of wasting their excellent start, Rickelton and Jansen combined to rebuild the innings.

The pair showed patience and determination, absorbing pressure while taking advantage of scoring opportunities.

Rickelton played a measured innings, while Jansen was more aggressive in his approach.

Their partnership helped South Africa regain momentum and move beyond the 250-run mark.

Jansen brought up his half-century off 66 balls, striking seven boundaries.

The pair then guided the Proteas past 300 in the 73rd over, ensuring that South Africa would finish with a more substantial total than had appeared likely at 232/6.

Their seventh-wicket partnership eventually reached 95 runs, taking the hosts to 327/6.

However, the arrival of the second new ball changed the complexion of the innings once again.

Starc’s Second-New-Ball Burst Ends Proteas Innings

Australia took the second new ball at the start of the 81st over, and Starc immediately made an impact.

With the fourth delivery of the over, he trapped Rickelton LBW with a full, swinging delivery that struck the batter on the back leg.

Rickelton departed for a valuable 42 off 83 balls, ending the 95-run partnership.

Two deliveries later, Starc produced an outstanding inswinger to bowl Jansen for 52 off 71 balls.

South Africa had slipped from 327/6 to 328/8 in the space of three deliveries.

Starc continued his dominance in the 83rd over.

He bowled Gerald Coetzee for a duck with a full, swinging delivery that deflected off the pad and struck leg stump, completing his five-wicket haul.

Kagiso Rabada was then trapped LBW for a duck two deliveries later.

Rabada reviewed the decision, but ball-tracking confirmed that the delivery had pitched in line and would have struck the stumps.

South Africa were dismissed for 329 in 82.3 overs.

Starc finished with outstanding figures of 6/72 from 16.3 overs, having claimed four of the final wickets in a devastating spell with the second new ball.

Lyon returned figures of 2/71, while Hazlewood and Connolly picked up one wicket each.

An Intriguing Opening Day Sets Up the Contest

The opening day produced several significant momentum shifts in a match that will decide the three-Test series.

South Africa dominated the morning session through Markram and Ackerman’s 158-run partnership, but Australia responded strongly to prevent the hosts from taking complete control.

The Proteas will be disappointed that neither opener converted a promising innings into a century and that the middle order failed to capitalise on the platform provided.

However, the recovery led by Jansen and Rickelton ensured South Africa reached 329, a total that gives their bowlers something to work with.

For Australia, Starc’s six-wicket haul was the standout performance, particularly his ability to dismantle the lower order with the second new ball.

With the series level at 1-1, both teams will recognise the importance of the opening innings.

South Africa will now look to their bowling attack to apply pressure on Australia when play resumes on Day 2.

Day 1 summary

• South Africa: 329 all out (82.3 overs)
• Marques Ackerman: 95 (94)
• Aiden Markram: 78 (141)
• Marco Jansen: 52 (71)
• David Bedingham: 50 (80)
• Ryan Rickelton: 42 (83)
• Mitchell Starc: 6/72
• Nathan Lyon: 2/71

Series: Level 1-1

Day 2: Wednesday, 28 October 2026, at 10:30 SAST.

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