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Impressive ... Australia celebrate a wicket from Mitchell Johnson. Source: Theron Kirkman / AAP
Australia's ring-in bowling attack stood tall on day one of the third Test, but South Africa's big guns had the final say as the Proteas rallied hard in their fight to protect their No.1 ranking.
South Africa were bowled out for just 225 on Friday, but without another defiant knock from rookie batsman Faf du Plessis (78 n.o.) may not have made it to 100.
3rd Test - WACA Ground
30 November 2012 - Day 1, Session 3
Australia 1st Innings
| D. Warner | 12 | 31 | 2 | 0 | 38.71 |
| N. Lyon | 7 | 22 | 0 | 0 | 31.82 |
| D. Steyn | 6 | 2 | 21 | 1 | 3.50 |
After the change of innings late in the piece, Dale Steyn (1-21) and Vernon Philander (1-8) immediately struck back in the 11 remaining overs to leave Australia 2-33 at stumps.
South Africa lead by 192 runs, and if the game's premier fast bowling attack continues to fire on day two, the match with seemingly everything on the line is very much alive in Perth.
The WACA crowd thought retiring champion Ricky Ponting was coming to the crease with 25 minutes left in the day, after Ed Cowan (golden duck) and Shane Watson (10) continued the flimsy run of form from Australia's top three.
But unbeknownst to the crowd, Australia sent nightwatchman Nathan Lyon (7 n.o.) to the crease to join David Warner (12 n.o.), meaning Ponting was saved from having to start his attempted fairytale innings in difficult conditions.
The late drama threatened to undo some of the brilliant work done by Australia's underdog bowlers.
Relive all the action from an enthralling day one with our interactive blog, and don't forget to join us for day two from 1.15pm (EDT) on Saturday.
Lyon (3-41) was the only survivor from the second Test in Adelaide, leaving pacemen Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc, debutant John Hastings and Shane Watson to play their first Tests for the summer in the deciding match.
The decision to leave battle-weary Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus out of Perth was a massive gamble, but Australia's bowlers stood up to be counted.
In Johnson's first Test in more than 12 months, he rediscovered some of his best form and he was unlucky not to finish with more than 2-54.
Lyon broke up key partnerships in the tail, while 22-year-old Starc (2-55) recovered from an inconsistent opening spell to bowl Alviro Petersen (30) and Jacques Kallis (2) before lunch.
Watson (1-22) did his job when injected into the attack, getting Graeme Smith (16) cheaply, while Hastings (1-51) overcame a simple dropped chance off his bowling from Ed Cowan, to claim AB de Villiers (4) as his maiden Test scalp from his next over.
Hashim Amla was the man dropped by Cowan, but it mattered little as David Warner ran-out the No.3 batsman with a direct hit during Johnson's next over.
Du Plessis came to the crease at 5-67 on Friday, and at one point South Africa had lost 5-14 in just eight overs.
At the death, Steyn had Cowan caught at second slip from just the third ball of the innings, before Philander made a spot-on DRS challenge to have Watson lbw.
Hastings said Australia did miss an opportunity to bowl South Africa out quickly, but believes a 225 first innings total was still a good result.
The Victoria seamer said the team was motivated by Ponting playing his record-equalling 168th and final Test for Australia.
"It's been an emotional few days for everyone I think but Ricky is such a legend," said Hastings, who was presented with his baggy green by Adam Gilchrist.
"I've been lucky enough to play a few one-dayers with him as well and have him as my captain for a few games as well.
"It's the end of an era and I don't think we'll know what we've lost until he's actually gone. His presence in the dressing room is just phenomenal."
Hastings said he only found out about his selection on the morning of the match.
"I didn't have too much time to think about it ... but I knew my role already if I was to play," he said.
South African spinner Robin Peterson, who combined for a crucial half-century stand with du Plessis, said the Proteas were happy with their recovery.
"We're pretty happy with getting 225 and especially getting two wickets late made it look like a decent score if we can get one or two early in the morning," Petersen said.
"When we were under pressure with Faf and I out there we put some of the pressure back on Australia."
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