South Africa's bowlers made a strong start to their Test series against Australia, reducing the touring side to 187 for six before bad light forced an early end to play in Durban. The match marks Australia's return to the country eight years after a ball-tampering scandal.
Australia were under pressure at Kingsmead after Wiaan Mulder dismissed Travis Head for nine and Nic Maddinson departed for a 33-ball duck. Maddinson, making an unexpected return to Test cricket 10 years after his last appearance and 12 months after cancer treatment, struggled before being dismissed by Marco Jansen.
Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith added 60 runs for the third wicket, but neither player converted their start. Mulder and Jansen both struck again either side of lunch. Paceman Anrich Nortje then dismissed Alex Carey and Beau Webster in three deliveries, leaving Australia at 124 for six.
Yorkshire-born Matt Renshaw led a fightback, scoring 46 not out alongside captain Pat Cummins (33 not out). However, when the skies darkened after 65.2 overs, South Africa remained in a strong position, even without Kagiso Rabada.