But once Bavuma fell for 38 in the middle of the second session, South Africa lost steady wickets on a surface that got firmer as the day progressed.
The Australian team will be proved right by Cummins’ decision to bowl first in Brisbane.
Morning conditions looked ideal for Australia’s potent pace attack, but Mitchell Starc and Cummins were quickly out of whack, causing the batsmen no real problems.
Starc’s debut came from the first ball of the third over when South African captain Dean Elgar tickled a delivery down the leg side to wicketkeeper Alex Carey.
Cummins began to find his line and length and was next to strike, getting a faint edge to Rassie van der Dussen off the ball leaving South Africa 27–2.