Starc, Hazlewood, Cummins and Lyon claimed nine wickets to leave the Proteas 139 runs adrift on day three in Durban.
South Africa are staring at a mountain in Durban. Australia's veteran pace-and-spin attack bowled the hosts out for 284 on day three of the first Test, and the Aussies lead by 139 runs with all ten second-innings wickets in hand.
The damage came from a quartet of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon, who shared nine wickets between them. Australia's first innings of 390 gave them a 106-run cushion. They then extended it to 33 without loss before bad light stopped play.
The four are making history just by turning up. All of them have passed 300 Test wickets, and no other bowling quartet has ever taken the field together with that many each. They began that run in Mackay two months ago and are adding to it in Durban. All four are also north of 33, so the age question hangs over the group, but on this evidence experience is winning.
The Proteas now need a big response with the bat, and quickly. With Australia's openers settled and the lead already healthy, South Africa must take early wickets on day four or the Test could slip away from them.
