David Warner and Steve Smith hit half-centuries but Australia was unable to dominate South Africa’s attack on the opening day of the first Test at Kingsmead on Thursday.
Australia, who won the toss and batted on an easy-paced pitch, was 225 for five when bad light ended play four overs before the second new ball was due.
With no assistance for the bowlers from a slow surface, South Africa bowled with discipline to keep the batsmen in check.
Apart from a bright third-wicket partnership of 56 off 92 balls between Warner (51, 6x4) and Smith (56, 11x4), it was largely attritional cricket between the second and third-ranked teams in Test cricket.
Vernon Philander bowled with excellent control to take two for 36, while left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj took two for 69 in the 24 overs he bowled.
