Ashwell Prince led South Africa's recovery with an unbeaten 79 after wickets tumbled on the first day of the third Test against Australia on Friday.
South Africa, who elected to bat, were on 238 for six when bad light ended play 11 overs early.
The patient Prince batted for 182 minutes, faced 128 balls and hit 10 fours.
Prince shared partnerships of 55 for the fifth wicket with Jacques Rudolph and 72 for the sixth wicket with Mark Boucher.
"We knew the wicket was going to do a bit, there was quite a bit of grass there," stand-in South African captain Jacques Kallis told a news conference.
"I think the wicket will do a bit throughout the game... so if we can get to close to 350 or 400 that would be ideal for us."
Fast bowler Stuart Clark led Australia's disciplined attack with his figures of two for 61 from 20 overs. Australia lead the three-match series 2-0.
Brett Lee and Clark shared the new ball and they found their line and length immediately.
South Africa struggled to get going and scored their first run in the fifth over when AB de Villiers drove a ball from Lee for a single.
The first boundary followed in the 10th over when Herschelle Gibbs, opening in place of injured captain Graeme Smith, drove Clark handsomely through the covers.
South Africa's troubles started four overs later when De Villiers lifted a drive off Clark and was neatly caught low down by Damien Martyn at cover for 12.
Three overs later the home side were reduced to 38 for two when Gibbs left a delivery from fast bowler Michael Kasprowicz and was bowled for 16.
Kallis and Boeta Dippenaar batted solidly for the rest of the morning session to nurse South Africa to lunch on 67 for two.
They were separated in the 10th over after lunch when Dippenaar, who hit seven fours in his 32, drove expansively at a delivery from Clark and was caught behind by wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist to end a partnership of 59.
TURNED TIDE
Lee bowled Kallis for 37 with an inswinger that nipped through the gate, reducing South Africa 106 for four in the ninth over before tea.
Prince and Rudolph turned the tide in South Africa's favour with their positive approach.
Rudolph was eventually dismissed for 25 after edging a delivery from leg-spinner Shane Warne to first slip. Matthew Hayden dived forward to claim the catch and Rudolph walked while umpires Steve Bucknor Tony Hill conferred.
Television replays suggested the ball bounced just before Hayden closed his hand around it.
South Africa lost their last wicket of the day 10 balls before the close when Boucher was trapped for 24 by medium pacer Andrew Symonds.
"We would have been happy with 240 for five, losing that last wicket was crucial," Kallis said.
He was captaining South Africa in the absence of Smith, who withdrew from the match with a finger injury. Dippenaar replaced Smith in the team.
Justin Langer, who is playing his 100th Test, led the Australian team on to the field.
Scorecard
South Africa (1st innings):
A. de Villiers c Martyn b Clark 12
H. Gibbs b Kasprowicz 16
B. Dippenaar c Gilchrist b Clark 32
J. Kallis b Lee 37
A. Prince not out 79
J. Rudolph c Hayden b Warne 25
M. Boucher lbw b Symonds 24
S. Pollock not out 4
Extras: (nb-9) 9
Total: (for 6 wickets, 79 overs) 238
Fall of wickets: 1-26, 2-38, 3-97, 4-106, 5-161, 6-233.
To bat: N. Boje, A. Nel, M. Ntini
Bowling: B. Lee 15 - 6 - 28 - 1 (nb-3), S. Clark 20 - 8 - 61 - 2, M. Kasprowicz 23 - 4 - 74 - 1 (nb-4), S. Warne 13 - 2 - 49 - 1, A. Symonds 8 - 2 - 26 - 1 (nb-2).
