Anrich Nortje was thrilled to be back in Test action for South Africa, as he helped the Proteas to a strong start on day one against Australia.

Australia, who had shuffled around their batting order, failed to find their rhythm at times, but reached 187-6 before play was brought to an early end due to bad light.

Travis Head was dismissed for just nine, while Nic Maddinson – in his first Test for Australia in 10 years – fell for a 33-ball duck as the tourists' openers struggled.

Marnus Labuschagne (37) and Steve Smith (25) fared slightly better, but were taken out on either side of lunch, and Australia were then toiling at 124-6 as Nortje, Marco Jansen and Wiaan Mulder took two wickets each.

But Australia steadied the ship somewhat as Matt Renshaw (46 not out) and Pat Cummins (33 not out) held firm under increasingly dark skies to put them in a better position.

Nortje is playing in his first red-ball match for South Africa in just under four years, and took both of his wickets within three balls in the 42nd over, dismissing Alex Carey (14) and Beau Webster (4).

"I thought I wasn't going to get a wicket for the next few weeks, the way it was passing the bat," Nortje said.

Stumps, Day 1! Bad light in Durban has the final say as Day 1 comes to an early end at Hollywoodbets Kingsmead. It’s been a day that has belonged to #TheProteas, with Australia finishing on 187/6 after 65.2 overs. #Unbreakable #SAvAUS https://t.co/Tqb2MWOE8R

— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) October 9, 2026

"I haven't officially bowled as many overs [as Friday], but I have tried to obviously do similar things in the nets.

"It's never the same. You can't simulate it as much. There were stages where you're just a little bit out of breath.

"But it's Durban, and at least the other boys are also out of breath too. But it was good. I enjoyed it. The spells were nice. I would have liked to finish the spell at the end as well, but obviously light dictates. It was good to be out there."

It was not as much of a dream return for Maddinson, who faced 33 balls and did not score a run, making his duck the longest by an Australian opener in Test history – as well as the third-longest by any opener in the longest format.

Australia will resume at the crease on day two with the aim of picking up where they left off.