Proteas hit back

Despite being reduced to 15 for three in the first six overs of the day, a 149-run fourth-wicket partnership between Simon Katich (83) and Michael Clarke (62) had put Australia in a stronger position heading into the second interval.

But when Katich was trapped in front by a Morne Morkel full toss, it prompted another mini-collapse as Clarke followed in the next over, lobbing spinner Paul Harris to Graeme Smith at mid-off leaving Australia at 172 for five at the interval.

The breakthroughs will have given the Proteas' a much-needed lift as Australia were in control for most of the afternoon session, and the South Africans were looking particularly frustrated as fielders slipped over and fast-bowler Dale Steyn was pinged twice for wides that flew over the batsmen's heads.

Katich and Clarke, though, barely offered a chance as they took the score from 74 for three at lunch to past the 150 mark.

Katich brought up his half-century and Australia's 100 with a lofted cut for six that flew over third man, but the New South Welshman was living dangerously against Morkel and was leaving his wicket vulnerable as the bowler approached before stepping into line while the ball was in mid-air.

Seeing this, Morkel kept on sending down yorkers at the Australian opener and eventually caught him with a full toss that may have just been going down leg side.

Clarke, though, suffered brain fade in the next over, mistiming a drive and lobbing directly to Smith, leaving Andrew Symonds (one) and Brad Haddin (four) the unbeaten batsmen.

South Africa had come out of the blocks fired up at the start of the day with Makhaya Ntini claiming the wickets of Matthew Hayden (12) and Ricky Ponting for a golden duck in the third over of the morning.

The other wicket went to Steyn who, despite bowling against the wind, got the ball to angle across Mike Hussey, taking a thick edge that AB De Villiers brilliantly caught at third slip, diving forward to claim it millimetres above the ground.