South Africa’s pace attack restricted Australia to 187/6 on the opening day of the first Test at Kingsmead in Durban on Friday, despite the absence of injured fast bowler Kagiso Rabada.
Bad light and rain brought an early end to play after 65.2 overs. Marco Jansen and Wiaan Mulder struck early to reduce Australia to 24/2 after the visitors elected to bat. Marnus Labuschagne scored 37 and Steve Smith made 25, sharing a 60-run partnership to steady the innings.
Smith also moved past Steve Waugh to become Australia’s third-highest run-scorer in men’s Test cricket. Mulder dismissed Labuschagne leg-before-wicket, while Anrich Nortje, returning to Test cricket after three years, removed Alex Carey and Beau Webster in the same over to leave Australia struggling at 124/6.
Matt Renshaw remained unbeaten on 46, while captain Pat Cummins scored 33 not out. Their unbroken 63-run stand helped Australia recover late in the day. Jansen, Mulder and Nortje claimed two wickets each.