Sledging helped spur Dean Elgar

Dean Elgar's 250-run stand with JP Duminy has put South Africa in the box seat to win the first Test against Australia.

South African opener Dean Elgar was motivated rather than rattled by the sledging he copped from Australia's players during his crucial century in the first Test.

Elgar entered the WACA Test carrying plenty of demons after scoring a pair of ducks at the same venue during his Test debut four years earlier.

But the 29-year-old put that nightmare to bed with a gritty 127 off 316 balls to swing the match South Africa's way.

"I don't think a ball had even been bowled and the guys were having a go," Elgar told ABC radio.

"Davey (Warner) and (Nathan) Lyon were having a full go, just reminding me a little bit about it.

"But actually it motivated me a lot more. It made me think about the bigger picture, which was obviously our team and putting us in a great position."

Elgar only scored 12 in the first innings.

But he said just getting off the mark felt like a massive achievement.

"Getting off that pair I've been on for four years on this ground - it was a good thing to have," he said.

"I'm sure everyone knows about the demons I have on this ground."

Elgar combined with JP Duminy for a 250-run stand, and he said he was thrilled to see the 32-year-old score his first Test century since 2014.

"He's been fighting a few demons when it comes to the white clothing cricket," Elgar said.

"I'm happy to see the way he played. Hopefully there's a lot more to come from him."

Australia will need to set a new world record run chase if they are to beat South Africa.

The current biggest successful fourth-innings run chase is the 7-418 posted by the West Indies to beat Australia in St John's in 2003.


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Source: AAP


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