South Africa appeared to be in complete control of the opening day of the series-deciding third Test in Cape Town. But Australia produced a stunning comeback to bowl the hosts out for 329 at Newlands.

The architect of Australia's fightback was Mitchell Starc. The left-arm fast bowler finished with 6/72 from 16.3 overs, claiming his 20th five-wicket haul in Test cricket. Most impressively, he took South Africa's final four wickets within just 11 deliveries with the second new ball.

South Africa dominate the opening session

After winning the toss, Australia captain Pat Cummins chose to field first. The decision initially appeared to backfire as South Africa's openers took control.

Marques Ackerman and Aiden Markram put together a commanding 158-run opening partnership. Ackerman was particularly aggressive, reaching 82 from 75 balls by lunch as South Africa went into the interval at 140 without loss.

Ackerman eventually fell for 95 from 94 balls, including 12 fours and two sixes, after being stumped off Nathan Lyon.

Australia turn the game around

Ackerman's dismissal changed the momentum. Markram and David Bedingham attempted to rebuild, but Josh Hazlewood removed Markram for 78.

Nathan Lyon then produced a superb delivery to bowl South Africa captain Temba Bavuma for a duck. Cooper Connolly claimed his maiden Test wicket by dismissing Matthew Breetzke for 2.

When Bedingham fell for 50 to Starc, South Africa had slipped to 232/6.

Jansen and Rickelton rebuild the innings

Just when South Africa appeared to be heading for a much smaller total, Ryan Rickelton and Marco Jansen launched a counterattack.

The pair added 95 runs for the seventh wicket, taking South Africa beyond the 300 mark. Jansen scored 52 from 71 balls, while Rickelton made 42 from 83 deliveries.

Their partnership gave South Africa a chance to finish the day strongly. But the introduction of the second new ball changed everything.

Starc takes four wickets in 11 balls

Starc immediately made an impact with the new ball, trapping Rickelton lbw for 42.

Two balls later, he bowled Marco Jansen for 52. Starc then dismissed Gerald Coetzee for a duck to complete his five-wicket haul before trapping Kagiso Rabada lbw two deliveries later.

That meant Starc claimed South Africa's final four wickets in just 11 balls, finishing with outstanding figures of 6/72.

It was also Starc's 20th five-wicket haul in Test cricket, underlining another outstanding performance at a crucial stage of the series.

Australia make four changes

Australia made four changes after suffering an innings-and-31-run defeat in the second Test at Gqeberha.

Steve Smith missed the deciding Test because of a neck injury, while Nick Maddinson, Beau Webster and Scott Boland were left out. Cameron Green, Josh Inglis, Cooper Connolly and Nathan Lyon came into the XI.

With the three-match series level at 1–1, the Cape Town Test will decide the series winner. After bowling South Africa out for 329 on day one, Australia now have the opportunity to take control with the bat.

Key Scores

South Africa: 329 all out
Marques Ackerman 95, Aiden Markram 78, David Bedingham 50, Marco Jansen 52

Australia bowling:
Mitchell Starc 6/72, Nathan Lyon 2/71, Josh Hazlewood 1/59, Cooper Connolly 1/41.