Pat Cummins dismissed AB de Villiers, Faf du Plessis, Temba Bavuma and Quinton de Kock
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
Australia pace bowler Pat Cummins spearheaded his side’s comeback on the opening day in Cape Town as he took four quick wickets in the final session, but South Africa opening batsman Dean Elgar put up a valiant fight as he scored an unbeaten 121.
Electing to bat first, South Africa got off to a disappointing start as opener Aiden Markram was caught by Australia captain Steve Smith at second slip off the bowling of Josh Hazlewood for a duck.
Elgar and Hashim Amla stabilised the innings with an 86-run partnership, during which Elgar brought up his half-century, before Amla was caught by Pat Cummins at fine leg off the bowling of Hazlewood for 31.
Elgar and AB de Villiers kept the runs flowing with a 128-run stand, during which Elgar surpassed his hundred and De Villiers his fifty.
AB de Villiers scored his 44th Test fifty
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
With South Africa cruising, Australia tried everything to claw their way back into the game. Their persistence paid off as De Villiers was dismissed by Cummins for 64, which came off 95 balls and included 10 boundaries.
Cummins then proceeded to take out captain Faf du Plessis and batsman Temba Bavuma for five and one run respectively.
Things continued to go downhill for the Proteas as wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock and all-rounder Vernon Philander were sent packing by Cummins and Mitchell Marsh for three and eight runs respectively.
Mitchell Starc then joined the party by dismissing Keshav Maharaj for three runs.
Elgar and Kagiso Rabada managed to muster an unbeaten nine-run partnership before stumps was called.
Elgar finished on 121 off 253 balls, which included 17 boundaries and a six, while Rabada remained undefeated on six off 12 deliveries, which included a boundary.
Dean Elgar celebrates after scoring his 11th Test century
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
Cummins was the pick of the bowlers with four wickets, while Hazlewood took two. As for Starc and Marsh, they claimed one wicket each.
South Africa ended day one on 266/8 and will continue batting on Friday at 10:00 local time or 08:00 GMT.