Josh Inglis and Alex Carey added an unbeaten 145 for the fifth wicket as Australia took a first innings lead on the second day of the third Test against South Africa at Newlands on Wednesday.

Australia were 330 for four at the close, one run ahead of South Africa’s first innings total of 329 with six wickets remaining.

Matt Renshaw and Cameron Green contributed 126 for the third wicket before Inglis, and Carey put Australia into a strong position to push for victory in the series-deciding match.

Australia’s progress on a good batting pitch was twice interrupted by double strikes by the South African bowlers, but it was their only success as they toiled on an unresponsive pitch on a warm, cloudless day.

Asked whether the absence through a neck injury of star batsman Steve Smith had inspired an extra degree of responsibility for the other Australian batsmen, Renshaw said there had been no such discussion.

“It was more just how could we stick to our tempo, stick to our plans and try and see where we were going to be tonight,” said Renshaw.

Renshaw, restored to the top of the order after excelling at number five in the first Test, said each batsman had his own tempo and said “calmness” was another key factor.

Renshaw and Travis Head (41) shared Australia’s best opening partnership of the series, putting on 58 before Head chopped off-spinner Simon Harmer’s first ball of the match into his stumps.

Harmer followed up five balls later by having Marnus Labuschagne caught at slip without scoring.

Calmer heads prevail

Renshaw (74) and Green (65) got Australia back on track, but both were dismissed by left-arm fast bowler Marco Jansen in the space of three deliveries shortly before tea.

“I was in for probably an hour and a half before Cam came in, so I’m in a completely different mindset and tempo compared to when he was coming in,” said Renshaw. “He’s buzzing around a lot, so it’s just about me being the calmer head out there.”

Renshaw’s watchful 139-ball innings ended when he flashed at a lifting delivery and was caught behind, with South Africa successfully seeking a review after he was initially given not out.

Green’s more adventurous innings ended when he steered Jansen to second slip. Green, who returned from an abdominal injury, hit two sixes off successive balls from Kagiso Rabada as well as eight fours in facing 110 deliveries.

Inglis, who also missed the first two Tests because of a broken finger, played some fine attacking strokes as he made 85 not out off 111 balls.

“We were under a little bit of pressure having lost two quick wickets and the way that he played was really positive,” said Renshaw.

Inglis and wicket-keeper Carey (51 not out) batted through to the close as South Africa were made to regret their collapse from 203 for one on the first day.

It was a tough day for the South African bowlers, although Jansen reached 100 wickets in only his 24th Test on the day that the International Cricket Council announced he had moved to the top of the Test rankings for both bowlers and all-rounders.

But new ball partner Rabada struggled with stomach cramps, according to bowling coach Piet Botha, and conceded 81 runs off 18 overs.

Early in the afternoon, he was hit for two sixes and a four off successive balls by Green.