South Africa spearhead Dale Steyn cleaned up Australia’s tail shortly after lunch on day two to restrict the visitors to a first innings of 397 in the first Test at Centurion.

Michael Clarke would no doubt have taken such a total after being sent in by the Proteas, but his side missed an opportunity to bat the hosts out of the contest after ambling to 4-331 early on Thursday.

Centurions Steve Smith and Shaun Marsh’s partnership was worth 233 runs, bettering Ashwell Prince and Herschelle Gibbs’ 213-run effort against Pakistan in 2007 to set a new mark for the best fifth-wicket stand at the venue.

The dismissal of Smith, coming after Australia added 34 runs to their overnight score, triggered a shift in momentum.

Smith was out edging to Ryan McLaren for 100, one hour after play resumed on day two and one over after securing his fourth Test ton.

Brad Haddin went for a duck in the next over, trapped lbw by Peterson, while Marsh’s career-best knock finished on 148 when he nicked a testing ball from Vernon Philander.

Ryan Harris, Mitchell Johnson, Peter Siddle lasted just six overs after the meal break, Steyn shattering the stumps of Harris and Siddle to finish with figures of 4-78.

Harris (19) and Johnson (33) did their best to push the total past 400.

Johnson was particularly aggressive, belting six boundaries and taking on Steyn and beanpole Morne Morkel before sweeping a ball from Peterson onto his stumps.

Nathan Lyon finished 4 not out, continuing his form from the recent Ashes series where he was never dismissed.

Marsh bettered his 141 on Test debut in Sri Lanka in 2011 and the 30-year-old was chuffed to perform after hastily flying out of Perth on Saturday night when Shane Watson was ruled out due to a calf injury.

“It probably is (the best knock of his career),” Marsh said prior to the start of day two.

“It’s been a pretty amazing two weeks for me (having recovered from a calf injury quicker than first expected).”