South Africa raced to 140 without loss before Australia clawed back, bowling the hosts out for 329 on a wild opening day in Cape Town.
African cricket had the world's attention at Cape Town as South Africa hosted Australia in a series-deciding third Test. The opening day swung wildly, and the hosts ended it with plenty to think about after being bowled out for 329.
Pat Cummins won the toss and chose to bowl, and for a while it looked like a costly mistake. South Africa's openers tore into the attack and reached lunch on 140 without loss. Captains who have bowled first and watched a rival run away with the game, in Leeds, Brisbane and Edgbaston, would have recognised the feeling.
Then the day turned. Australia took all ten wickets for the next 189 runs, and Mitchell Starc wrecked the tail with four wickets in just six balls. A side that had looked rattled all tour found a way back into the contest.
Australia arrived in Cape Town with a lot of upheaval. They left out Scott Boland, their best performer in the second Test, to bring in Nathan Lyon. Steve Smith missed out, with Josh Inglis replacing him. Cameron Green and Cooper Connolly came in for Nic Maddinson and Beau Webster. It was a four-change reshuffle of a kind no touring Australian side had made for non-disciplinary reasons since the West Indies in 1984. After day one, the gamble looks far less shaky, but the decider is wide open.
