Nantie Hayward produced some fiery deliveries

Mark Waugh played a lazy shot at Nantie Hayward three minutes before tea and was caught behind by Mark Boucher for two.

Captain Steve Waugh then felt he had got a tough decision against him when Henderson struck for his first of two wickets.

South Africa went up for bat-pad catch and umpire Venkat gave the decision the tourists' way, to the disgust of Waugh, who had to depart the scene for eight.

When, Gilchrist holed out to mid-wicket off Henderson for seven, anything could have happened.

Strong start

But Damien Martyn, 36 not out, prevented any further calamities before stumps.

The Australians got away to a strong start and breezed on a run-a-minute in the first hour before the South Africans put on the scoring brakes in the second hour.

Lance Klusener ended Australia's dangerous opening partnership, getting Matthew Hayden to lob a slower delivery head high to Makhaya Ntini at mid-off for 31.

South Africa could have had Ponting out in the last over before lunch when Gary Kirsten dropped a waist-high chance off Jacques Kallis at third slip when he was on six.

Ponting also survived a catch by Dippenaar in the deep, but was saved when Australian umpire Simon Taufel, officiating in his second Test, had his arm outstretched signalling a no-ball.

Australia: Matthew Hayden, Justin Langer, Ricky Ponting, Mark Waugh, Steve Waugh (capt), Damien Martyn, Adam Gilchrist, Shane Warne, Brett Lee, Jason Gillespie, Glenn McGrath. Stuart MacGill (12th man).

South Africa: Gary Kirsten, Hershelle Gibbs, Jacques Kallis, Neil McKenzie, Boeta Dippenaar, Lance Klusener, Mark Boucher, Shaun Pollock (capt), Claude Henderson, Makhaya Ntini, Nantie Hayward. Justin Ontong (12th man).

Umpires: Simon Taufel (Aus), Srinivas Venkataraghavan (Ind).

TV umpire: Steve Davis.

Match referee: Ranjan Madugalle (Sri).