Cape Town: Debutant seam bowler Stuart Clark wrecked the South African top order as Australia took command on the first day of the first Test against South Africa at Newlands on Thursday.
Clark took four for 34 as South Africa crashed to 155 for eight at tea after winning the toss and batting in overcast conditions on a pitch which gave help to the seam bowlers.
Opening bowlers Michael Kasprowicz and Brett Lee took two wickets each as South Africa tumbled back to earth just four days after hammering a world record 438 for nine in a One-Day against Australia.
Clark bowled at a brisk pace with an accuracy that would have won the approval of fellow New South Wales player Glenn McGrath, who was not available for the tour because of his wife's illness.
With Australia opting for a three-man pace attack instead of picking two leg-spinners, Clark struck with his ninth ball when he had South African captain Graeme Smith caught behind for 19.
He followed up by dismissing leading batsmen Jacques Kallis and Herschelle Gibbs and South African wicketkeeper Mark Boucher.
Kasprowicz made the initial breakthrough by bowling AB de Villiers for eight in the 10th over after South Africa made a cautious start.
When Kallis slashed a short delivery to Matthew Hayden at gully, Clark had taken two for three.
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Gibbs, who slammed 175 in South Africa's record-breaking ODI win in Johannesburg on Sunday, struck Clark for two boundaries in an over but Clark then produced a superb delivery which left Gibbs off the pitch and hit his off stump. Gibbs made 18.
Ashwell Prince battled for 105 minutes to make 17 before Lee came back into the attack and had him caught at gully.
All-rounder Andrew Hall, who replaced the injured Shaun Pollock, became the first man to reach 20, going on to make 24 before he too was caught at gully off Lee. It was Hayden's third catch of the innings and his 100th in Tests.
The South Africans were finally bowled out for 205 with Clark picking up five wickets.
Brett Lee and Michael Kasprowicz took three and two wickets respectively.
Australia also lost the wicket of Justin Langer early in the innings but skipper Ricky Ponting and Mathew Hayden took their team to 63 for the loss of one wicket at the end of the day's play.
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