Durban (South Africa) (AFP) - Steve Smith broke the Test record for the most career catches by a fielder as Australia played themselves into a strong position on the third day of the first Test against South Africa at Kingsmead on Sunday.

Smith held four catches, taking his total to 223, as South Africa were bowled out for 284 in reply to Australia’s first innings of 390.

Nic Maddinson (17 not out) and Travis Head (10 not out) added 33 runs off just 5.4 overs to stretch Australia’s overall lead to 139 before bad light ended play for the third day in a row.

Maddinson, who laboured to a 33-ball duck in the first innings, hit two fours off Marco Jansen in the first over of the second innings and added a six off Wiaan Mulder before play was called off.

Australia’s bowlers applied relentless pressure on an easy-paced pitch and a succession of South African batsmen contributed to their own dismissals by playing poor shots.

Six Protea batters reached 30 but David Bedingham’s 49 was the top score.

Australian captain Pat Cummins took three for 54 and Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon claimed two wickets each as Australia’s long-serving bowling quartet combined with customary efficiency.

South African batting coach Ashwell Prince defended the approach of his batsmen.

“If you look at the make-up of their bowling attack, they’re heavily dependent on the three seamers and Lyon is phenomenal as a spinner able to hold one end up,” said Prince.

“But they’re going to come with a certain intensity that can only last for a certain period of time. I think that’s the learning. Sometimes you’ve got to be able to absorb that intensity.”

Prince said he backed his batsmen to play their own game, even though all of the top three were out caught in the slips trying to play forcing shots, while South Africa captain Temba Bavuma and Kyle Verreynne were caught by Smith at slip when they played reverse sweeps.

“Every player who walks out for every team naturally has their personal approach to batting. Some guys are more aggressive than others. Over long periods of time, they reap the rewards of that and sometimes it doesn’t pay off.”

- Lyon hails Renshaw -

Lyon said he expected spin to play a significant role in the remaining two days.

“I felt like (South African spinners) Kesh (Maharaj) and Simon (Harmer) both were spinning out of the middle of the wicket yesterday and I felt the same,” said Lyon.

“I did notice when the ball went quite soft that the spin probably dropped down a little bit, but it was a nice breeze out there for me today, so I felt like my shape was pretty good and was pretty happy with it.”

Lyon praised Matt Renshaw, who scored 190 and was the senior partner in a record 134-run ninth wicket partnership with Lyon on Saturday that swung the match in Australia’s favour.

“He had a very clear plan on how to go about it. I thought Matt Renshaw was absolutely incredible. Not even talking about his knock. just his guidance, his support, the confidence that he instilled.”

Smith started the day on 219 catches, one behind Joe Root of England.

He equalled the record when he caught Bavuma. Smith, playing in his 126th Test, broke the record when he lunged to his left from second slip to hold a sharp edge from Bedingham off Cummins.

Smith was in the action again with a spectacular catch to dismiss Verreynne, again anticipating well at slip as the South African wicketkeeper made good contact with a reverse sweep which Smith held in an outstretched right hand.

His fourth catch was from an edge to slip by last man Anrich Nortje off the bowling of Beau Webster.

Smith’s career haul of 223 catches exceeds the total of all but 11 specialist wicketkeepers.