South Africa vs. Australia, 3rd Test: Day 1 Video Highlights, Scorecard, Report

A feisty and aggressive Australian batting display gave the visitors the upper hand against South Africa on Day 1 of the third and final Test in Cape Town.

The Proteas had roared back to level the series at 1-1 last time out, but led by David Warner's century, Australia posted 331-3 at stumps.

His chief support came from Michael Clarke, who weathered ferocious attacks with the short ball to reach stumps at 92 not out.

With South Africa rattled by an injury to Dale Steyn which prevented him from bowling for more than half a day, Australia built a solid platform and have a chance to take total control of the match on Day 2.

Australia 1st Innings
Total	for 3	331	(88.0 ovs)
Batsman	Dismissal	Bowler	Runs	Mins	Balls
Rogers	c Smith	b Steyn	25	58	41
Warner	c AB de Villiers	b Duminy	135	255	152
Doolan	c Steyn	b Philander	20	78	66
Clarke	not out		92	239	181
Smith	not out		50	123	92
Extras	4nb 5w 0b 0lb	9
Bowler	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wickets
Steyn	10.1	0	44	1
Philander	19.0	2	66	1
M Morkel	17.5	2	69	0
Duminy	9.0	0	37	1
Abbott	17.0	5	52	0
Elgar	15.0	0	63	0

It was a far cry from their last effort at Newlands back in 2011, when Australia were dismissed for 47 all out on their way to a comprehensive defeat.

Warner and Chris Rogers started with aggression, the latter falling to a loose shot as Steyn attacked from around the wicket.

But every batsman got a start. Alex Doolan played anchor to the belligerent Warner, but helped a ball from Vernon Philander into the air and allowed a simple catch for Steyn.

Warner continued to score fluently, pouncing on width and punishing anything loose.

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Michael Clarke moved back up to No. 4 after Australia swapped out Shaun Marsh for Shane Watson, and James Pattinson came in for Peter Siddle and was assaulted by a battery of fast balls from Morne Morkel.

Morne de Klerk/Getty Images

Bowling around the wicket, Morkel was vicious. Clarke's survival owed everything to bravery and good fortune.

But survive he did, and after a relatively lean spell with the bat he made his time count, taking over from Warner when the left-hander edged JP Duminy to the wicketkeeper.

Steve Smith next came in and played his way unobtrusively to 50 not out, making batting look very simple. 

Clarke had the bruises, but both men had the chance to add centuries on Day 2, with Steyn's continued participation in the Test in the balance.