London/IBNS: Australia fought back hard in reducing South Africa to 43-4 at stumps on day one of World Test Championship Final 2025 after getting bowled out for only 212 in the first innings at Lord's in London on Wednesday.

Mitchell Starc hurt South Africa early on a day where 14 wickets fell across the two teams.

Starc, who picked two wickets for 10 in seven overs, cleaned Aiden Markram's stumps and then dismissed Ryan Rickelton for 16 off 23 balls.

With both the openers sent packing, Australian fast bowlers mounted enormous pressure on the Proteas in the next few overs.

While skipper Pat Cummins sent back Wiaan Mulder back to the hut (6 off 44 balls), Josh Hazlehood stunned Tristan Stubbs (2 off 13 balls) dislodging his stumps.

As South Africa walked back home at 43/4, captain Temba Bavuma, who won the toss and elected to field first, remained unbeaten at 3 off 37 balls along with David Bedingham (8 off 9 balls).

Earlier, South Africa bowled out Australia for only 212, riding on Kagiso Rabada's fifer.

Rabada, who returned to cricket after serving a one-month ban for testing positive for cocaine, picked five wickets for 51.

Australian senior batter Steve Smith 66 and Beau Webster (72) stitched a 79-run partnership for the fifth wicket after the Aussies were throttling at 67-4.

Despite the fight, the Aussies crumbled down soon after the tea, losing the last five wickets for only 22, handing South Africa an upper hand in the match back then.