watch South Africa vs Australia 1st Test Day 3 live Score

Australia strengthen their position as they reached lunch at 351 for seven.The Proteas' heavy reliance on the new ball was almost their undoing early on until Makhaya Ntini and Dale Steyn struck midway through an extended morning session. There were 12 overs to be bowled before the new ball was due and the home side looked to be going through the motions as they waited for its availability.

Australia claimed two wickets on the second morning of the first Test at the Wanderers, but half-centuries from debutant Marcus North and Brad Haddin helped Australia strengthen their position as they reached lunch at 351 for seven.

The Proteas' heavy reliance on the new ball was almost their undoing early on until Makhaya Ntini and Dale Steyn struck midway through an extended morning session. There were 12 overs to be bowled before the new ball was due and the home side looked to be going through the motions as they waited for its availability.

North (85 not out) and Haddin (63) put on 113 before the latter was dismissed by Ntini, caught by Paul Harris at mid-on, and five deliveries later Steyn enticed Andrew McDonald to push at an away swinger that he only succeeded in edging to Jacques Kallis at second slip. However, North remained defiant as he edged closer to the three-figure mark.