PERTH, Australia (AP) Vernon Philander led the South Africa attack in the absence of injured Dale Steyn with four wickets as Australia was bowled out for 244 on Friday, limiting its first-innings lead to just two runs in the first test.
South Africa, having scored 242 on the first day, was looking at a big first-innings deficit as Australia's David Warner and Shaun Marsh shared a 158-run opening stand, and with Steyn having departed with the recurrence of a shoulder injury.
However Australia collapsed from that point, with six players dismissed for four runs or less and was bowled out by tea on day two.
Philander took 4-56 and was well supported by debutant spinner Keshav Maharaj (3-56) and Kagiso Rabada (2-78).
Leftarmer Mahraj bowled with guile and control to claim the wickets of skipper Steve Smith, Peter Nevill and Mitchell Starc.
Steyn was taken to a nearby hospital for scans and investigation on his right shoulder, which he fractured in a surfing accident in December last year.
Warner was racing toward his 17th career century when he pushed at a Dale Steyn delivery away from the body, and was caught by first slip Hashim Amla.
Warner's dismissal triggered a top-order collapse as Australia lost Usman Khawaja (4), Smith (0), and Marsh in the space of 23 runs before lunch.
Khawaja was yorked by Kagiso Rabada, and two overs later, debutant Keshav Mahraj dismissed Smith lbw for his maiden test scalp.
Soon after dismissing Warner, Steyn left. Maharaj completed Steyn's unfinished over and in his very next over trapped Smith, who unsuccessfully reviewed the on-field decision.
Warner batted for 2 1/2 hours and hit a six and 16 fours. He has shared century opening stands in each of the past three tests against South Africa, after he and Chris Rogers put on 126 and 123 in the last two tests of the 2013/14 series.
Marsh played second fiddle to the aggressive Warner, and batted for over three hours and hit seven fours off 148 balls.
Australia was at risk of conceding a first-innings deficit but Peter Nevill (23) and Peter Siddle (18 not out) shared a 29-run eighth-wicket stand.
