Pretoria – South Africa won the toss and chose to bowl first against Australia in the first Test at SuperSport Park, in Centurion, on Wednesday.
The three-Test series between the number one Proteas side and third-ranked Australians, would begin under clear skies and warm weather.
The hosts have not beaten Australia in South Africa since re-admission.
South Africa also have not lost a Test series in the last five years.
The Test marked the first time the Proteas would be without the services of Jacques Kallis, who recently retired from Test cricket.
Australia, meanwhile, would be without the experienced Shane Watson as he picked up a calf injury in the days leading up to the first Test. – Sapa