Australia are in a commanding position at Kingsmead and will look to take a 1-0 series lead over South Africa on Day 4. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7pm (AEDT).
The tourists have dominated the first Test on the back of Day 2, when they absolutely dominated proceedings during the second and third session.
At one point, it looked like Australia would be below par on first innings, but 96 from Mitchell Marsh and some lower order cameos ensured they would get to 351, which at the time, looked like a better than average score on a pitch taking turn and providing plenty of assistance for reverse swing as the ball got older.
Interestingly, it hasn’t been the new ball doing the damage, with the quick bowlers not coming into their own until the ball has been typically about 30 overs.
Nathan Lyon proved to be the difference up front once the Aussies got the ball though as he ran through the top order, taking crucial wickets. It was then Mitchell Starc who ended up with five wickets, South Africa being knocked over for just 162.
The hosts needed everything to go right on Day 3, but Australia batted out the day to end up with 9 for 213, a lead of 402.
While South Africa fought hard during the second half of the day to limit Australia’s run rate, 402 looks to be well out of the realms of possibility, even with all the experience in the Proteas order.
The wickets were shared around for the Proteas, but the pitch isn’t going to improve when they go back out to bat, with Starc and Lyon again expected to be at the top of the pile.
Given there are almost two days to go, South Africa aren’t in a position where they can hope to save the game. Batting two days would ensure a victory, even at two runs per over, so it will come down to who can score runs.
Faf du Plessis has done it before against Australia, admittedly, on a much better batting track in Adelaide, while AB de Villiers looked in good touch during the first innings.
Dean Elgar and Aiden Markram will need to get South Africa off to a good start if they are to have any hopes, while the role of Hashim Amla is critical. The first drop has typically been a bunny for Josh Hazlewood, but Nathan Lyon, with a turning ball from around the wicket had him in all sorts during the first innings before eventually grabbing the wicket.
Put simply, this is going to be a task too far for South Africa.
The only real question to be answered early on Day 4 will be whether Steve Smith declares overnights, or puts South Africa back out in the field until the tenth wicket is taken, leaving the opening batsmen no time to prepare.
You’d have to expect the later, and an Aussie victory to go with it.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of Day 4 from 7pm (AEDT) and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below.
David Ward
Guest
Good call, Ronan. Storm in a teacup.
Ryman White
Editor
Or maybe not...
Ryman White
Editor
Bring on the second Test!
magic
Guest
is ma starc aus new gd macgrath and aus aus aus wow what a competitive team never give up good performance what you all think?
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thanks for joining me on The Roar for our live coverage of Australia's tour of South Africa. Hopefully you enjoyed the call. Lachlan Ballingal will be with you later this evening from 7pm (AEDT) for the conclusion of the Test. It could be one ball, it could be 124 runs. Who knows. Bye for now.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thoughts on the day then Roarers?
Brains of a bimbo
Guest
See you tomorrow for South Africa's dramatic one-wicket victory.. #SAvAus
Scott Pryde
Expert
STUMPS Bad light has finally suspended play in Durban. The light meters came out again and the umpires decided enough was enough. Steve Smith tried to talk the umpires around, but it didn't work and we will have to come back - possibly for one ball - tomorrow. Australia would have been nervous there. Very nervous when Aiden Markram stole the show to score 141, along with first Theimus de Bruyn and then Quinton de Kock who has gone to stumps on 81 - but the ball finally started reversing and once Markram was gone, the tail folded like a deck of cards.
Over: 89 South Africa: 9/293 Required score: 417
Scott Pryde
Expert
Morkel sees out another over. His defence is absolutely rock solid here, now sitting on 0 from 27. Replays show the LBW was missing as well. Six minutes now.
Over: 89 South Africa: 9/293 Required score: 417
Scott Pryde
Expert
Please say the Aussies. No says Dharmasena. Hits the pads of Morkel does the third ball and it didn't look bad, but was probably down the leg side - didn't straighten enough.
Over: 88.3 South Africa: 9/293 Required score: 417
Scott Pryde
Expert
Another over down. Steve Smith looks exasperated, but Lyon will have another crack at Morkel here. 9 minutes remain.
Over: 88 South Africa: 9/293 Required score: 417
Scott Pryde
Expert
Lyon beats the outside edge again, then Morkel defends one angling into the pads. This is quality work from Morkel, who is now 0 off 21. There is no forecast of rain, but I suppose the other thing South Africa could hope for is that. Get to stumps and then not play tomorrow. 11 minutes until we will have to come off, but the umpires keep checking the light readings.
Over: 87 South Africa: 9/293 Required score: 417
Scott Pryde
Expert
Now Lyon beats the outside edge with a faster one. That was almost at 100 clicks.
Over: 86.4 South Africa: 9/293 Required score: 417
Scott Pryde
Expert
South Africa showing plenty of grit here through Morkel and de Kock. It's almost like they want to put Australia back out in the field tomorrow morning just to spite them of a day off. Anyway, Morkel defends the first three balls of this over.
Over: 86.3 South Africa: 9/293 Required score: 417
Scott Pryde
Expert
Quinton de Kock again can't get off strike. He plays out the maiden and that's the end of 86 overs. Lyon will have another chance at Morkel.
Over: 86 South Africa: 9/293 Required score: 417
Scott Pryde
Expert
Half an LBW shout on the first ball of this Smith over as de Kock gets wrapped on the pads. It was high and turning down leg though. The next is hit to the sweeper on the cover fence and they don't run.
Over: 85.2 South Africa: 9/293 Required score: 417
Scott Pryde
Expert
Well, Morkel sees out that over as well. Surely we are going to have to head off. The shaddows on the ground from the artificial lighting are getting more and more pronounced here.
Over: 85 South Africa: 9/293 Required score: 417
Scott Pryde
Expert
Join the bloody club.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Lyon around the wicket. Morkel defends the first two, pushed through pretty quickly by Lyon.
Over: 84.2 South Africa: 9/293 Required score: 417
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
Hurry up FFS I want to go to bed!