Australia turned the heat on South Africa as they finished the first session on day three of the first Test at Kingsmead on 112-3, and a lead of 301.
AB de Villiers said South Africa were confident on turning the game around, but they did not show that as the visitors piled on the runs.
South Africa picked up three wickets in the first session, with Maharaj, who got five in the first innings, got Cameron Bancroft (53), and Usman Khawaja (6).
READ MORE: ‘We can turn this around’
Bancroft and David Warner began the third day slowly, and not taking any risks against seamers Morne Morkel and Vernon Philander, as they looked to increase their lead.
It took eight overs for Faf du Plessis to bring Keshav Maharaj into the attack, and he took a bit of punishment earlier on.
Bancroft and Warner brought up the fifty partnership for the first wicket in just 66 balls.
The second bowling change for South Africa saw Kagiso Rabada joining the attack in the 11th. over as the home side continued to search for a breakthrough
That came soon when Warner pulled Rabada to mid-on, but was caught by substitute Wiaan Mulder for 28.
Usman Khawaja, who came in at number three, did not last long as he became Maharaj’s first victim of the day when he gloved the ball into the hands of Quinton de Kock to depart for six.
Bancroft was looking comfortable at the other end, and he brought up his second Test half century when he smashed Morkel to mid-wicket for four.
The Australia batsman was back in the pavilion after he came down the wicket to Maharaj and completely missed the ball and was stumped by De Kock.
READ MORE: Starc makes light work of SA
Australia first innings 351 all out: Mitchell Marsh 96, Steve Smith 56; Keshav Maharaj 5-123, Vernon Philander 2-59
South Africa first inning 162 all out: Ab de Villiers 71, Aiden Markram 32; Mitchell Starc 5-34, Nathan Lyon 3-50
Australia second innings 112-3: Cameron Bancroft 53, David Warner 28, Keshav Maharaj 2-49, Kagiso Rabada 1-11
Photo: Lee Warren/Gallo Images
