South Africa were bowled out for 329 in 82.3 overs on the opening day of the first Test against Australia at Newlands in Cape Town on Tuesday, as Mitchell Starc claimed six wickets to turn the contest in the visitors’ favour.
Marques Ackerman led South Africa’s batting with 95 off 94 balls, while Aiden Markram scored 78 and Marco Jansen contributed 52. David Bedingham also made a half-century, scoring 50 off 80 deliveries.
Australia won the toss and elected to field, but South Africa made an impressive start before Starc and the Australian bowlers mounted a strong comeback.
Markram and Ackerman Build Strong Opening Partnership
Markram and Ackerman put on 158 runs for the first wicket, giving South Africa early control of the innings.
Ackerman struck 12 fours and two sixes, while Markram hit 10 fours and one six. Their partnership put Australia under pressure before Nathan Lyon ended Ackerman’s innings in the 32nd over.
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Lyon had the opener stumped by wicketkeeper Alex Carey for 95, leaving him just five runs short of a century.
Markram departed shortly afterwards for 78, caught by Starc off Josh Hazlewood as South Africa lost their second wicket at 203.
Australia Strike Back as Wickets Fall
Lyon dismissed South African captain Temba Bavuma for a duck, reducing the hosts to 204 for three.
Cooper Connolly then claimed his maiden Test wicket when Matthew Breetzke fell lbw for two after Australia reviewed the decision.
Bedingham reached 50 before Starc dismissed him, with Hazlewood taking an excellent catch at fine leg. Starc struck again two balls later, removing Wiaan Mulder for a duck after the batter edged a short delivery to Carey.
South Africa slipped to 232 for six as Australia tightened their grip on the innings.
Jansen and Rickelton Restore Momentum
Ryan Rickelton and Jansen revived South Africa’s innings with a 95-run partnership for the seventh wicket.
Rickelton scored 42, while Jansen contributed 52, helping the hosts move beyond 300 after their middle order struggled against Australia’s attack.
Starc eventually broke the partnership in the 81st over, trapping Rickelton lbw for 42. Two deliveries later, he bowled Jansen to leave South Africa’s lower order exposed.
The left-arm fast bowler then dismissed Gerald Coetzee and Kagiso Rabada in the 83rd over, completing his six-wicket haul and ending South Africa’s innings at 329.
Starc Leads Australia’s Bowling Attack
Starc finished with six wickets for 72 runs from 16.3 overs. Lyon claimed two wickets for 71 runs, while Hazlewood and Connolly took one wicket each.
Simon Harmer remained unbeaten on zero when South Africa lost their final wicket.
South Africa’s innings featured two contrasting phases: an impressive opening partnership that laid the foundation for a competitive total, followed by a late collapse as Australia claimed four wickets in a short burst.
Play is scheduled to continue on Wednesday, October 28, as Australia begin their response.
