PERTH, Australia (AP) South Africa was struggling on 78 for four at lunch on day one of the opening test against Australia at the WACA on Thursday.
Skipper Faf de Plessis was unbeaten on 37 with Temba Bavuma 17 not out. The pair shared an unbroken fifth wicket partnership of 46 runs after the tourists slumped to 32 for four in their first innings.
Australian left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Starc triggered the top order batting when he dismissed South African opener Stephen Cook for a duck on the fourth ball of the match.
Josh Hazlewood, Starc's new ball partner, claimed the prized wicket of Hasim Amla without scoring, then opener Dean Edgar for 12, caught by wicketkeeper Peter Nevill.
Peter Siddle, in his recall to the Australian team, chipped in to remove JP Duminy for 11, leaving the South Africans in early trouble after they won the toss and elected to bat first.
