South Africa made an impressive start to the first Test against Australia at Kingsmead in Durban, reducing the visitors to 187/6 before bad light brought an early end to play on Day 1.

After winning the toss and electing to bat, Australia struggled to build partnerships against a disciplined Proteas bowling attack. Marco Jansen, Wiaan Mulder and Anrich Nortje claimed two wickets each as South Africa maintained pressure throughout the day.

Australia’s innings began cautiously, with Travis Head becoming the first wicket to fall for nine. Mulder struck in the eighth over when Head edged a delivery down the leg side to wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne. The initial appeal was turned down, but South Africa successfully reviewed the decision.

Jansen then removed Nic Maddinson for a 33-ball duck, with the Australian opener chopping a delivery onto his stumps to leave the visitors struggling at 24/2.

Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith attempted to rebuild the innings, adding 60 runs for the third wicket. Labuschagne looked comfortable during his knock of 37 from 58 deliveries, striking six boundaries, before Mulder trapped him LBW on the final ball before lunch.

Australia reached the interval on 84/3, but South Africa struck immediately after the break when Jansen dismissed Smith for 25. The experienced batter edged a delivery to Mulder at gully, leaving Australia in further trouble at 84/4.

Matt Renshaw and Alex Carey then provided some resistance, adding 36 runs for the fifth wicket. However, Nortje produced an excellent spell to put South Africa firmly in control.

The fast bowler removed Carey for 14, finding the outside edge with a delivery that was caught by Aiden Markram at second slip. Nortje struck again two deliveries later when Beau Webster edged behind for four, with South Africa successfully reviewing the original not-out decision.

Australia had slipped to 124/6, with South Africa firmly on top.

Renshaw and captain Pat Cummins then frustrated the Proteas with an unbeaten seventh-wicket partnership of 63 runs.

Renshaw showed patience and determination, reaching 46 not out from 115 deliveries, while Cummins contributed an unbeaten 33 from 72 balls. Their partnership helped Australia recover to 149/6 at tea before adding another 38 runs in the final session.

Bad light eventually interrupted play after 65.2 overs, with Australia closing on 187/6.

Jansen finished with figures of 2/35 from 16 overs, including seven maidens, while Mulder was equally impressive with 2/31 from 15 overs. Nortje claimed 2/40 from 13.2 overs, providing South Africa with important breakthroughs during the afternoon session.

Spinners Simon Harmer and Keshav Maharaj went wicketless, returning figures of 0/34 and 0/33 respectively.

South Africa will head into Day 2 looking to break the partnership between Renshaw and Cummins and dismiss Australia for a manageable first-innings total.

Although Australia recovered somewhat through their seventh-wicket stand, the Proteas will be encouraged by their bowling performance, having reduced the visitors to 124/6 after choosing to bat first.

With four wickets remaining, South Africa have an opportunity to strengthen their position when play resumes on Saturday.

Stumps, Day 1: Australia 187/6 (65.2 overs)

Australia: Matt Renshaw 46*, Marnus Labuschagne 37, Pat Cummins 33*

South Africa: Marco Jansen 2/35, Wiaan Mulder 2/31, Anrich Nortje 2/40