South Africa lost six wickets to Mitchell Starc in the final session to be all out for 329 at the end the first day of the third Dafabet test at YesPlay Newlands in Cape Town on Tuesday.
"If you gave us 329 at the start of the day we would have probably taken that," said opener Marques Ackerman at the post-day press conference. "But in saying everyone would agree that we probably left a little bit out there today," added Ackerman.
The Proteas had resumed after tea on 221-4 with David Bedingham and Ryan Rickelton at the crease. Despite a 95-run stand between Marco Jansen (52) and Rickelton (42), it was all Australia and, more to the point, all Starc.
"If we could delete the first session then I think we had a pretty good day. We expected more out of the wicket, but there was no sideways movement off the pitch but got some swing with the new ball," said Starc after the day's play.
South Africa lost their last four wickets for just two runs as Starc (16.3-2-72-6) tore the tail to pieces.
20th five-for in Tests for Mitchell Starc in Cape Town 🔥 📝: https://t.co/8Kbtgulc6S https://t.co/IakmiOeZu1
— ICC (@ICC) October 27, 2026
Bedingham, who struck seven boundaries, was trapped in front by Starc for 50. Wiaan Mulder lasted just two deliveries, being caught behind by Alex Carey from the bowling of Starc without troubling the scorers.
"There was probably a few soft dismissals among all the wickets and we lacked a big partnership after myself and Aiden got out," said Ackerman.
Rickelton played the anchor, facing 83 deliveries and striking five boundaries while Jansen, fresh from his 85 in Gqberha, struck seven fours himself from 71 balls.
However, as soon as the new ball was available, Pat Cummins (18-3-73-0) had no hesitation in asking the umpires to throw him the new cherry.
Starc was absolutely devastating. First he got rid of Rickleton, trapping the South African wicketkeeper plumb in front for 42. He then removed Jansen, with the ball crashing into the stumps to leave the home crowd stunned with Jansen departing for 52.
Back-to-back Test fifties for Marco Jansen 🇿🇦🙌 📺 Stream #SAvAUS on DStv: https://t.co/rM90YyQxaw https://t.co/852Ph8gkp6
— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) October 27, 2026
Gerald Coetzee was next to go, with Starc bowling Coetzee off his pads without scoring before finishing off the Proteas' innings as Kagiso Rabada was sent packing - despite a fruitless review - plumb in front for a second-ball duck.
"The second new ball swung more than the first one, probably because the sun was out but when the clouds came over, it was dark and tricky out there with the second new ball. It's a pity we didn't come off for bad light I think," stated Ackerman.
in front for a second-ball duck.
"I didn't see anything through the action, it was just more of a feeling. I was probably looking to much into my action, as there wasn't much different with my action," said Starc of his bowling action.
STRONG START FOR SA
Cummins had won the toss under sunny skies and, surprisingly, asked South Africa to bat first.
Marques Ackerman (95) and Aiden Markram were sublime in the morning session, taking the hosts to 140 without loss at the lunch break.
"We were probably going to bat first so we were quite surprised that they decided to bowl. I thought the wicket was really good and there was not much lateral movement," said Ackerman.
Ackerman brought up his maiden test fifty before ending the session on a speedy 82 from 75 balls. Markram struck nine boundaries and a six from 87 balls, going to lunch on 56, his 15th test fifty.
"They gave it to us in the first session, clearly not our best stuff. We had to reassess at lunch and we found different ways to be effective," added Starc.
The second session belonged to Australia though as Nathan Lyon (23-1-71-2) accounted for Ackerman and captain Temba Bavuma.
Ackerman was ultra-aggressive against the spinner, but Lyon had the last laugh as Ackerman came dancing down the wicket once too often and was stumped by Carey just five runs short of a maiden test ton.
"You live by the sword and die by the sword! I left a hundred out there and not happy about it but it is good motivation to try and get my first test hundred if I get another opportunity," said Ackerman.
"He was disappointed last week, but raring to go this week. He was fantastic today and controlled his end for us through his spells and got a few rewards," said Starc about Lyon.
Bavuma lasted just three balls before being bowled by Lyon.
Josh Hazlewood had Markram caught by Starc down the ground for 78. Cooper Connolly (9-0-41-1) got in on the act, having Maathew Breetzke trapped in front for just two to leave the home side at 221 for four at the tea break.
South Africa will be disappointed in having gone from 158 without loss to 329 all out, effectively losing 10 wickets for just 171 runs in the day.
SOUTH AFRICA: Aiden Markram, Marques Ackerman, David Bedingham, Temba Bavuma (capt), Matthew Breetzke, Ryan Rickelton (wk), Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Simon Harmer, Gerald Coetzee, Kagiso Rabada.
AUSTRALIA: Travis Head, Matthew Renshaw, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Josh Inglis, Alex Carey (wk), Cooper Connolly, Pat Cummins (capt), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.
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