AUS v SA 1st Test: Rabada fires South Africa to victory

Perth: South Africa pulled a sensational comeback to beat Australia by 177 runs in the first Test match at the WACA in Perth on Monday. Kagiso Rabada fired South Africa to victory in the opening game of 3 match Test series.

After resuming Monday at 169-4, Australia reached lunch at 263-7 with Peter Nevill on 16 not out and Peter Siddle yet to score.

The 21-year-old Rabada claimed his fourth five-wicket haul in his ninth test to damage the Australia second innings after the hosts were set an improbable victory target of 539.

Rabada, who has filled the void left by the injured fast bowler Dale Steyn, confounded the batsmen with a fine display of reverse swing bowling.

Adding to his three wickets from Sunday, Rabada claimed Mitchell Marsh and Mitchell Starc — both trapped lbw.

South Africa scored 242, dismissed Australia for 244 and then declared at 540-8, built on a 250-run third-wicket stand between Dean Elgar (127) and Jean-Paul Duminy (141).

Usman Khawaja scored 97 in Australia's second innings before Duminy trapped him lbw after four hours at the crease. He struck three sixes and 11 fours off 182 balls and featured in two important partnerships — 92 with skipper Steve Smith (34) and 50 for the fifth wicket with Marsh (26).

Rabada gave South Africa the first breakthrough of the morning when he trapped Marsh lbw. Marsh was given not out by on-field umpire but South Africa successfully challenged the decision.