South Africa batted first at the SCG after winning the toss, in conditions that were "ideal for seam bowling" according to Cricinfo journalist S Rajesh. No play was possibly before lunch due to drizzle, and when play started overhead conditions were cloudy and the pitch was visibly green. It enabled Australia to take three wickets in the first session, with AB de Villiers caught behind for two in the sixth over off Brett Lee. Lee was also able to grab Graeme Smith, leaving South Africa at three for 86, but Ashwell Prince and Jacques Kallis batted out the six overs until the tea break, before enjoying conditions that "gradually became batsman-friendly". The two put on 146 unbeaten runs on the first day to take South Africa to three for 230 at stumps.