South Africa opening batsmen Aiden Markram led a stirring South African fightback but could not prevent against Australia fifth day of the first Test at Kingsmead on Monday. Opening batsman Aiden Markram made 143 runs but South Africa were hanging on at 293 for nine at the stumps day 4. Just added 5 runs and fall short of 118 runs short of a target of 417. South Africa were in desperate trouble at 49 for four wicket but Markram shared stands of 87 with Theunis de Bruyn (36) and 147 with wicket keeper batsmen Quinton de Kock (83) which gave South Africa hope that they could pull off a miracle victory. His dismissal, though, opened the door for Australia to rip through the tail. Mitchell Starc took four wickets. That caused the umpires to tell Australian captain Steve Smith that play could only continue if he used slow bowlers.

De Kock and Morne Morkel survived nine overs in ever-deteriorating light against Smith and Nathan Lyon before the umpires took the players off five minutes before the scheduled close. That South Africa would even entertain faint hopes of victory seemed impossible when their four most senior batsmen were dismissed without reaching double figures. But Markram, in only his seventh Test, remained calm amid the carnage. The recovery started with a determined partnership for the fifth wicket with De Bruyn, who made a stylish 36 before he was caught behind off Josh Hazlewood. It was the only wicket to fall between lunch and tea. Markram was joined by De Kock, whose form leading into the Test had been dismal. But the left-handed wicketkeeper looked in good touch from the start and took the fight to the Australians. It was Markram’s third Test century but easily his important innings.