Faf du Plessis was staggered at how little time Australia needed to attain reverse-swing on day three of the Test series decider in Cape Town.

Ryan Harris delivered a fantastic delivery that nipped in late to rattle Hashim Amla’s stumps in the 28th over.

Harris continued to menace du Plessis with reverse-swing in the early stages of his innings of 67.

It was in sharp contrast to the second Test in Port Elizabeth, where Dale Steyn put on a reverse-swing masterclass and the tourists were unable to generate much sideways movement through the air.

“The first innings I think the pitch didn’t rough it up,” du Plessis said.

“I must be honest, I was really surprised to see the ball reverse from their side.

“I think it was 27 overs when the ball started reversing.”

Du Plessis walked a somewhat similar line to David Warner, who was fined by the ICC and criticised by the Proteas camp for questioning the legitimacy of South Africa’s tactics in getting the ball to reverse-swing in Port Elizabeth.

While Warner went on to controversially suggest his side should ask the umpires about the way AB de Villiers treated the rough side of the ball, du Plessis was more guarded on his thoughts as to why the ball was swinging so early.

“Especially after rain and a wet outfield, I was really surprised,” the right-hander said.

“So, let’s leave it at that,” he added with a cheeky grin.

Mitchell Johnson noted his side had reverse-swing in mind from the early stages of the Proteas’ innings.

“I don’t always hit the seam so I can hit that rough side, get it nice and rough, and shine the other side,” Johnson said.

“Once we saw the ball wasn’t swinging normally we did that straight away.

“We’re not surprised that it went.”

Johnson was in awe of Harris’ tricks.

“That ball that got Amla was a ‘Steyn’ ball,” he said.