Josh Inglis struck his second Test hundred as Australia took control on day three of the third Test, leaving South Africa 40 runs ahead with four second-innings wickets down at Newlands.
South Africa were bowled out for 329 on day one. Pat Cummins’ side then took a 100-run lead before being bowled out for 429 after lunch.
Alex Carey and Inglis put the visitors in front with a fifth-wicket stand of 185. Inglis reached his century off 132 deliveries.
South Africa fight back, then wobble
South Africa responded to match Australia’s lead, but they were on the back foot later in the afternoon. Aiden Markram (1), Marques Ackerman (62) and David Bedingham (11) were all dismissed, and the hosts lost them for 132 inside 28.2 overs.
Skipper Temba Bavuma then arrived and ground down the Australian pace attack. He made 35 off 115 deliveries, with a strike rate of 30.43. Just five minutes before the close, Nathan Lyon dealt a major blow, spinning an off-spinner around Bavuma’s bat and into his middle stump.
South Africa were 140 for 4 at stumps and need a strong morning on Friday to extend their lead on day four.
Starc strikes early in the second innings
Mitchell Starc came out firing in South Africa’s second innings and took his match haul to eight wickets. Markram edged a delivery to Travis Head at mid-off in the third over. Bedingham pulled a short ball from Josh Hazlewood straight to Lyon at deep square leg.
Ackerman and Bavuma put together a fine partnership, with Ackerman reaching 62 off 80 deliveries. However, Starc’s bouncer struck Ackerman’s gloves and carried to Cameron Green in the slips.
Inglis falls short of the milestone on day three
Inglis, who hit 11 fours and two sixes, began the day needing 10 runs for his hundred. He eventually reached 102 but edged behind to Ryan Rickelton off Simon Harmer, who was the standout South African bowler. Harmer also dismissed Carey for 80 and finished with four for 104 in the innings.
Kagiso Rabada trapped Cummins for no runs. Starc was then caught behind by Rickelton off a Gerald Coetzee delivery for 11.
After lunch, Harmer took a brilliant catch in the slips to remove Lyon for one off a Wiaan Mulder delivery.
Matthew Breetzke (19) and Rickelton (8) return to the crease for South Africa when play resumes on Friday morning.