It was a chastening morning for the South Africans, seeking to draw level in the three-match series, as the left-handed Hughes flayed some wayward bowling.

Playing in his second Test, Hughes, 20, hit ten fours in reaching his second successive half-century and added four more before the interval.

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Katich added seven boundaries of his own as Australia took full advantage of batting first on a well-grassed but easy-paced pitch.

Strike bowler Dale Steyn sent down only five unimpressive overs before being taken out of the attack while the tall Morne Morkel had a nightmare two-over spell after being brought on as first change.

After being hit for two fours by Hughes in his first over, Morkel conceded four more boundaries to Hughes in his next, interspersed by a wild bouncer which flew over the head of wicketkeeper Mark Boucher for four byes.

Morkel also sent down a no-ball as 21 runs were scored during the over.

Both teams were unchanged from those that played in the first Test in Johannesburg which Australia won by 162 runs.