The Proteas were bowled out for 329 after being sent in to bat, with Starc finishing with figures of 6-72.

Ackerman struck 95 off 94 balls, while Markram made 78 off 141 balls. The pair shared a 158-run opening stand before Nathan Lyon dismissed Ackerman.

Markram fell to Josh Hazlewood with the score on 203, before Lyon removed Temba Bavuma for a duck and Starc dismissed David Bedingham for 50 off 80 balls.

Ryan Rickelton contributed 42 off 83 balls before falling to Starc, while Marco Jansen added 52 off 71 balls before also being bowled by the left-arm quick.

Starc wrapped up the innings by dismissing Kagiso Rabada, leaving Australia to begin their reply on day two with the series level at 1-1.