Perth: After South Africa were bowled out for 225, Dale Steyn and Vernon Philander struck early blows to leave Australia at 33 for 2 at the stumps on the opening day of the third and final Test against South Africa at the WACA Ground on Friday.
David Warner was on 12 and night watchman Nathan Lyon was on seven.
South Africa were dismissed for 225 in their first innings after winning the toss on the opening day of the third and final Test against Australia at the WACA Ground on Friday.
In a match that will decide the top-ranked nation in Test cricket, the Proteas were in deep trouble at 75 for six, before the tail wagged to help add respectability to their score.
It was second Adelaide Test hero Faf du Plessis who again led the fightback, making an unbeaten 78, for a total of 266 runs in his first two Tests with just one dismissal.
He received support from Robin Peterson (31) and Vernon Philander (30) after Australia's revamped pace attack rocked the Proteas' top order.
Spinner Nathan Lyon took three for 41 off 12 overs, but it was the Australian fast bowling quartet of Mitchell Johnson (2-54), Mitchell Starc (2-55), Shane Watson (1-22) and John Hastings (1-51) that did the damage.
None of the pace foursome played in the drawn second Test in Adelaide.
Brief scores
South Africa 225 (Du Plessis 78*, Lyon 3-41)
Australia 33 for 2
Status Australia trial by 192 runs