Mitchell Starc claims six wickets as Australia fight back against South Africa

Mitchell Starc produced a decisive late-day performance to put Australia back in contention after South Africa threatened to dominate the opening day of the third and final ICC World Test Championship encounter in Cape Town.

The left-arm pacer claimed 6/72, recording his 20th five-wicket haul in Test cricket as South Africa were bowled out for 329. His intervention transformed the momentum after the hosts had established a commanding position through a 158-run opening partnership and appeared well placed at 327/6 late in the day.

Starc credited Australia's ability to identify and address problems during a match for their recovery, admitting that the visitors had struggled during the opening exchanges.

How did Starc turn Australia's fortunes around?

Australia's decision to field first appeared costly as South African openers Aiden Markram and Marques Ackerman negotiated the morning session confidently, building a substantial partnership without losing a wicket.

However, Starc's effectiveness with the second new ball helped Australia recover from their difficult start, allowing the visitors to dismiss the hosts before the end of the day's play.

Reflecting on the team's response, Starc said: "A lot of us have been around long enough to try and problem solve while we're going," he said.

"(I) just happened to get a few right with the second newy (new ball). It would have been nice to do it with the new ball in the first hour, but I think that's a feature of our group. We can problem solve before the end of the day's play. To bowl them out with clearly not our best start in the first two hours, I think it will take that."

What helped Starc rediscover his rhythm?

Starc revealed that he had been uncomfortable with aspects of his bowling throughout the first two Tests of the series. Reviewing footage with Australia's coaching staff and his wife, who has watched him play extensively, helped him realise that he might have been overanalysing his technique.

"There's been a lot of things that haven't felt right through the series," Starc said. "I had a bit of a look last night with [assistant coach] James Franklin and Ronnie [Andrew McDonald], and also my wife who has watched a lot of cricket.

"I just had a bit of a look at some footage from the Test in Durban with some overlay from the Ashes, just seeing if there was anything through the action, which there wasn't really. It was just more a feel thing. I was probably looking too far into it. There wasn't really much difference in the action.

"I was probably searching for a feeling that I probably didn't need to. If I just switched my brain off, I might be right."

How did South Africa build their strong position?

Markram and Ackerman frustrated Australia's bowlers with a composed opening stand, adding 140 runs before lunch and eventually taking their partnership to 158.

Ackerman missed out on a maiden Test century by five runs when he attempted to advance down the pitch and was stumped by Alex Carey. Markram continued to score freely, reaching 78 before Starc took a well-judged catch off Josh Hazlewood.

Nathan Lyon subsequently dismissed captain Temba Bavuma with a flighted delivery, while Cooper Connolly trapped Matthew Breetzke leg-before for two.

South Africa reached tea at 221/4, but Australia's bowlers continued to make inroads afterwards. David Bedingham scored 50 before departing, while Wiaan Mulder fell for a duck. Ryan Rickelton contributed 42, and Marco Jansen added another valuable half-century with 52.