ADELAIDE, JAN 30: South Africa tenaciously fought their way into a commanding position on the opening day of the third and final cricket Test against Australia here today.Relishing first use of a friendly batting strip after they won the toss, the Proteas forged to 269 for four by stumps at the Adelaide Oval in a clash they must win to level the series at 1-1.A spirited fourth-wicket stand of 109 by skipper Hansie Cronje (70 batting) and Herschelle Gibbs (37) restored the advantage late in the day after South Africa lost three wickets for 20 runs following a superb partnership by opening pair Gary Kirsten and Adam Bacher.South Africa remained on course for a formidable first innings total despite a late setback when Gibbs fell to a wide ball from medium-pacer Greg Blewett.Wicket-keeper Ian Healy, playing in his 100th Test, dived in front of first slip to pouch one of his greatest catches.Kirsten (77) and Bacher (64) provided South Africa with a marvelous foundation, crunching 140 runs from theopening 50 overs in South Africa's sunniest three hours of the series.The opening pair sped to 50 in 63 minutes and 100 in 112 minutes - an invigorating approach after the team's laboured batting in the second Test which Australia won by an innings and 21 runs.ScoreboardSouth Africa (1st innings): Adam Bacher c Warne b Bichel 64, Gary Kirsten c Warne b Kasprowicz 77, Jacques Kallis lbw Macgill 15, Hansie Cronje batting 70, Herschelle Gibbs c Healy b Blewett 37, Dave Richardson batting 0; Extras (lb-5, nb-1) 6.Total (for 4 wickets): 269Fall of wickets: 1-140, 2-148, 3-160, 4-269Bowling: Kasprowicz 24-3-94-1, Bichel 26-10-54-1, Warne 13-2-41-0, Macgill 14-2-43-1, Mark Waugh 2-0-6-0, Blewett 13-5-25-1, Steve Waugh 4-3-1-0
