Indian skipper Virat Kohli scored a fine 79, but the hosts gained a upper hand by bowling out the visitors for 223 at the end of Day 1 of the third and final Test at Newlands in Capetown on Tuesday.
After winning the toss and electing to bat first, openers KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal got India off to a solid start. The duo put on 31 runs for the opening wicket before the former was dismissed by Duanne Olivier for 12.
Kagiso Rabada then got into the act by dismissing Mayank (12) caught behind by Aiden Markram at second slip.
The pair of Cheteshwar Pujara along with Kohli added 62 runs for the third wicket before the former nicked a Marco Jansen behind the wickets for 43.
Ajinkya Rahane departed cheaply for 9, as the visitors slumped to 116/4. Virat along with Rishabh Pant featured in a 51 run stand for the fifth wicket before the latter offered a simple catch to Keegan Peterson at gully for 27.
Shardul Thakur’s short stay at the crease did not last long as he chipped a Keshav Maharaj delivery to Peterson at short cover for 12.
Jasprit Bumrah (0) fended at a Rabada’s short delivery to Elgar at second slip. Star batsman Kohli missed out on three figure score after Kagiso Rabada dismissed him for 79. His knock came off 201 deliveries with 12 fours and one six.
Lungi Ngidi claimed the final wicket of the innings by sending back Mohammed Shami for 7 as the visitors were bowled out for 223.
For the hosts, Kagiso Rabada claimed 4/73, while Jansen ended up with three wickets.
In reply, South Africa lost skipper Dean Elgar (3) caught at first slip by Pujara off Jasprit Bumrah. The hosts ended Day 1 at 17/1 with Aiden Markram (8 ) and nightwatchman Keshav Maharaj (6) batting at the crease.
Stumps at the end of Day 1
India- 223 all out. ( Virat Kohli 79, Cheteshwar Pujara, 43, Kagiso Rabada 4/73, Marco Jansen 3/55) vs South Africa 17/1.