Australia won the toss and chose to bat first, but the opening pair of Nic Maddinson and Travis Head both fell within the first eleven overs. Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith steadied the ship somewhat, adding 60 runs to the scoreboard between the two of them, but it was the partnership between Matt Renshaw and captain Pat Cummins that put the Australians back in control.

Pat Cummins and Matt Renshaw. Photo: Facebook/Australian Men’s Cricket

It was not the dream return to international cricket Maddinson had hoped for. The 34-year-old was diagnosed with cancer in April 2025, which spread to his lung and lymph nodes. He missed most of last year to focus on his health and receiving treatment. He did manage to make it into the record books, despite not scoring a single run. 

He faced 33 balls and did not score a run, making his duck the longest by an Australian opener in Test history – the third longest by any Test opener. Friday's most successful partnership was between Renshaw and Cummins, whose 63-run stand was what the Aussies needed after teetering on 124/6.

Marco Jansen, Wiaan Mulder and Anrich Nortje all took two wickets on the first day, ably supported by spinners Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer. The South Africans were also visibly frustrated when the umpires decided to stop play 50 minutes into the final session due to bad light.

Play will resume at 09:30 on Saturday with the session times extended, but the belief is there will be more bad light frustrations to come.

OFM Sport/Ilse Smalberger dg