Simon Katich called on his side to at least make it past the 350-run mark after they closed the first day on 267 for six.
Australia opener Simon Katich called on his side to at least make it past the 350-run mark after they closed the first day of the third Test on 267 for six.
Michael Clarke (73) and Mitchell Johnson (17) will pick up the fight tomorrow on a SCG pitch already showing signs of wear and tear.
Katich, who made a breezy 47, claimed honours were even following the first day after the hosts hauled themselves back from a potentially disastrous 162 for five.
"I felt we fought back really well in the last session," he said.
Cracks starting to open up
"South Africa had their noses in front but that (75-run) partnership between Michael Clarke and Brad Haddin (has us) in a position to get around 350 tomorrow and put some pressure on them.
"If we can get a few more partnerships in the morning and push on towards 350 then runs on the board at the SCG are always vital.
"It looks like it's quite a dry wicket and this one will deteriorate differently to the Melbourne wicket, so hopefully that gives us a bit of an advantage in the next few days.
"There are some cracks starting to open up and it generally does get lower and slower as the days go on here."
South Africa's assistant coach Vinnie Barnes believes the Proteas enjoy the upper-hand going into the second day.
"Our noses in front"
But he admits the visitors will need a large first-innings total to avoid being set a big run chase late in the match.
"We have our noses in front. If we can get them out for less than 300 that would be wonderful but we've got to be realistic and if we can get anything under 350 that would be good for us," Barnes said.
"There are a few cracks and there were a few before the game and the weather's going to get better and the cracks are going to widen.
"It's very, very important to get a big, big total on the board in your first innings to take a bit of pressure off your second innings.
"The wicket does get a bit slower and lower and the spinners come into play in the last few days.
"It's not a wicket you want to be chasing too much on."
