Australia completely dominated the Proteas on day two at Kingsmead in Durban as they bowled them all out for 162, ensuring they go into the second innings with a lead of 189 .
Seamer Mitchell Starc was the chief destroyer for the visitors, whose reverse swing was unplayable, and ended the innings with 5-34.
Off-spinner Nathan Lyon, who picked up three wickets, was the other Australian bowler of note on the day.
READ MORE: Lyon strikes as SA struggle
AB de Villiers, who scored 71 not out, was the only South African batsman who offered any form of resistance, as the home side now find themselves with a mountain to climb.
South Africa began the third and final session on 55-3 when captain Faf du Plessis joined AB de Villiers in the middle after they had lost Aiden Markram in the previous session.
The Proteas were soon four wickets down when Du Plessis was caught by wicketkeeper Tim Paine off the bowling of Mitchell Starc for 15 runs, which left the home side on 94-4 with just over two hours to play on day two.
Theunis de Bruyn then had a scare early in his innings as Josh Hazlewood got some steep bounce which went off the gloves of the Proteas batsman passed a diving Paine.
De Bruyn was soon on his way for six, however, when he got an edge as he attempted to drive off the bowling of Starc as the visitors took firm control of the first Test.
Meanwhile, De Villiers brought up his 43rd half-century when he cut Hazlewood through point.
Quinton de Kock looked as if he had got over his troubles, and played beautifully as he got to 20. But he was completely fooled by a Lyon ball which went straight through him.
Vernon Philander didn’t last as he found himself back in the dressing room having scored just eight. Philander was Starc’s third victim of the game.
Hazlewood got his first wicket when he hit Keshav Maharaj’s off stump, leaving just Kagiso Rabada and More Morkel left in the batting line up for South Africa.
READ MORE: Proteas into the Aussie tail
Australia 351 all out: Mitchell Marsh 96, Steve Smith 56, Keshav Maharaj 5-123, Vernon Philander 2-59
South Africa 162 all out: Ab de Villiers 71, Aiden Markram 32, Mitchell Starc 5-34, Nathan Lyon 3-50
Australia lead by 189 runs
Photo: Lee Warren/Gallo Images
