Smith and Labuschagne have done well to rebuild this innings and settle things down.
They just brought up their 50-run partnership.
Smith continues to attack Maharaj while they are handling the seamers at the other end.
Australia are 2-78 with lunch about 10 minutes away.
The Proteas have gone to their spinners early calling Keshav Maharaj into the attack.
But Smith has cracked him for two sixes in the last over. Smith is throwing his whole body into his shots and lofted the ball deep into the stands.
Labuschagne hit Nortje for two fours in the next over. The confidence is slowly building for the Aussies.
Australia are 2-67 from 20 overs with Smith on 18, Labuschagne 28.
Nic Maddinson made a 33-ball duck after capping off an extraordinary return to cricket from cancer by winning selection as an opening batsman in Australia’s team to face South Africa at Kingsmead.
It was at times difficult to watch Maddinson as he struggled for timing against the new ball in the hands of Proteas new ball pair Marco Jansen and Wiaan Mulder, who both found a modicum of swing.
Maddinson was fortunate when he was struck on the pads by Mulder on his 15th ball, the inswinger shown to be hitting leg stump but the hosts not reviewing the not out decision because they had suspected an inside edge.
Travis Head then departed early, touching a ball down the leg side. By reaching his 33rd ball without scoring before he dragged Jansen back onto the stumps, Maddinson chalked up the third-slowest duck by an opener in Tests - behind the modest duo of Darrin Murray (39 balls for New Zealand against Sri Lanka in 1995), and Zimbabwe’s Trevor Gripper (36 balls against West Indies in 2000).
Only time will tell whether the long duck will be Maddinson’s most memorable moment on this tour, but it will do little to quell the surprise of many that he had been chosen in the first place.
Australia are 2-39 from 15 overs.
Labuschagne has just edged the ball through the vacant slot in fourth slip off Jansen.
It went for four but the shot was a complete fluke and was so lucky to not find a catcher, as the Proteas have three slips and a gully.
Neither Smith, nor Labuschagne have looked comfy this morning. Smith appears to be moving around the crease even more than usual.
He’s very fired up.
Australia are 2-38 with Labuschagne on 16, Smith on 1 after 14 overs.
Speedster Andrich Nortje has hit Marnus Labuschagne in the chest with a steep bouncing delivery.
The Aussie batter let out a loud shout as the ball pounded into his chest - it was tough to tell if it hit his chest guard or not.
Steve Smith had a little chat with him to settle him down - Nortje has a mean look on his face, I don’t think he liked missing out on opening the bowling.
Australia are 2-28 after the first hour with Labuschagne on six and Smith on one.
Maddinson has clipped the ball into his own stumps and is out for a duck from 33 balls.
Jansen has his first wicket and Maddinson has trudged off the park.
Another big moment, heartbreaking for the recalled opener.
Steve Smith has come out to bat.
Australia are 2-24 from 10.2 overs.
Temba Bavuma has lost his first review after referring a ball that his Labuschagne’s pad for an lbw decision from the bowling of Jansen.
The ball was called as missing and umpire’s call, so he lost that review.
Marnus has been a little shaky so far, he’s got five runs while Maddinson is still scoreless from 29 balls.
In a humorous moment, commentator Simon Katich was playfully debating the pronunciation of Labuschagne with his SuperSport colleagues, who wanted to use the South African pronunciation instead of the incorect Australian version.
The ultra edge has shown that Head hit the ball, so he’s out.
Just when Head was looking ready for a big score, he’s out caught behind off Mulder.
Maddinson has hit five leg byes but has no runs from 29 balls.
Australia are 1-17 from 7.5 overs.
Head may have edged the ball behind but he’s standing his ground.
The umpire said not out but South Africa have asked for the review.
Nic Maddinson has had the great escape as Mulder hit him on the pads, but the umpires gave it not out.
Then Bavuma opted against sending it up for a review and we’ve just seen replays that showed the ball was hitting leg stump.
The umpire heard two noises and thought the ball hit bat then pad, it appears that the bat hit his pads.
That feels like a big moment.
Australia 0-10 from five overs.
