Australia resumed their first innings on 330/4 before being bowled out for 429, with Josh Inglis leading the way with a superb 102.

Matt Renshaw continued his impressive form in the series with a patient 74 off 139 deliveries, while the returning all-rounder Cameron Green contributed 65 off 110 balls.

Wicketkeeper Alex Carey also played a significant role with the bat, scoring 80 off 168 deliveries, while Travis Head chipped in with a brisk 41 at almost a run a ball.

Alex Carey. Photo: Cricinfo

Off-spinner Simon Harmer was the pick of the South African bowlers with figures of 4/104, while the world-class all-rounder Marco Jansen claimed 3/60 in his 22.1 overs.

The Proteas’ second innings got off to a shaky start, with Aiden Markram falling for just one and local favourite David Bedingham managing only 11.

Marques Ackerman, however, provided some much-needed stability at the crease, anchoring the innings with a well-crafted 62 before Mitchell Starc produced an absolute beauty to dismiss the left-hander.

Simon Harmer took four wickets in Australia’s first innings. Photo: Cricinfo

Captain Temba Bavuma dug deep in a typically determined display, grinding out 35 off 115 deliveries before being bowled by Nathan Lyon. The Australian off-spinner also dismissed Bavuma in the first innings and has now claimed his wicket seven times in Test cricket.

At the close of play, Matthew Breetzke was unbeaten on 19, with Ryan Rickelton alongside him on eight not out.

Following the day’s play, Harmer indicated that he expects spin to become an increasingly influential factor over the next two days as the Newlands surface continues to dry out.

“The wicket has changed quite dramatically from this morning to this evening,” said Harmer.

“Mitchell Starc did a pretty good job of churning it up, and I definitely think spin is going to play a much bigger role than it has in the first two and a half days.

“It was quite evident tonight how the ball was turning out of the footmarks. I don’t know whether the middle of the pitch will start offering some variable bounce for the seamers, but the way I see it, spin has a massive role to play in the remainder of this Test.”

The experienced off-spinner added that the opening hour on Friday morning could prove decisive, potentially setting the tone for the remainder of this gripping series decider.

Marques Ackerman was removed with a cracking delivery by Mitchell Starc. Photo: Cricinfo

“It's still a long way off, and the most important part of this game for us is the first hour,” Harmer added.

“We can’t get too caught up in what we want or what would be nice, because none of that is achievable if that first hour doesn’t go well.

“I’m pretty sure that’s what the conversations will be about – making sure we don’t get carried away or look too far ahead. We need to keep things as simple as possible.

“If we have a good first hour tomorrow, it puts us in a much stronger position than getting sidetracked by thinking about reaching 200 or what would be a defendable total.”

With the series on the line, the Proteas will know that a solid start on Friday could be crucial as they look to build a challenging fourth-innings target for the Australians.

The all-important fourth day of the third Test between South Africa and Australia in Cape Town’s Southern Suburbs gets underway at 10:30 on Friday morning.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek cvs