Matt Renshaw and Cameron Green scored half-centuries to keep Australia in the contest against South Africa on Wednesday, reaching 191-4 at tea during the second day of the decisive third Test at Newlands.
Australia trail by 138 runs after South Africa were dismissed for 329 on the opening day, with Renshaw making 74 and Green contributing 65 in a steady response.
Renshaw faced 139 balls and struck 10 fours before being caught by wicketkeeper Ryan Rickelton off Marco Jansen, ending a third-wicket stand that had helped Australia recover from an early wobble.
Green hit eight fours and two sixes in his 110-ball innings before falling to Simon Harmer, who also dismissed Travis Head for 41 and Marnus Labuschagne for a duck.
Australia lost Head and Labuschagne in quick succession, both falling with the score on 58, but Renshaw and Green added 126 runs for the third wicket to put the visitors back on track.
Jansen so far claimed two wickets for 28 runs in 11 overs, while Harmer also took two wickets, conceding 43 runs in 14 overs. Josh Inglis was unbeaten on five and Alex Carey on one at the end of the second session.
The match is the decider in a three-Test series between the two leading Test sides, which is level at 1-1.
Australia had earlier fought back on the opening day after South Africa raced to 140 without loss at lunch. Mitchell Starc took 6-72 as the hosts lost their final seven wickets for 125 runs.
Marques Ackerman led South Africa with 95 from 94 balls, while Aiden Markram scored 78 and David Bedingham made 50. Jansen added 52 to take the hosts to 329.
Starc said Australia had regrouped at lunch after a difficult morning.
“We didn’t have our best stuff in the first two hours but the last two sessions were right up there,” he said.
The winner of the Newlands Test will claim the number one position in the Test rankings, currently held by Australia.