Captain Ricky Ponting [Images] survived two chances to score a century for Australia on the first day of the second Test against South Africa on Friday.

Australia, who won the toss and chose to bat, were 228 for five when bad light ended play two overs early.

South Africa fought back to take three wickets in the final session.

Ponting survived chances on five and 36 before reaching his 29th Test century. His 103 included 11 fours.

He shared stands of 97 with Justin Langer for the second wicket, and 101 with Damien Martyn, who scored 57, for the third wicket.

Australia lead the three-match series 1-0 after winning the first Test by seven wickets.

Scorecard

Australia 1st innings
J. Langer c Boucher b Kallis 35
M. Hayden c AB de Villiers b Ntini 0
R. Ponting c Gibbs b Boje 103
D. Martyn c Kallis b Ntini 57
M. Hussey not out 10
B. Lee c Boucher b Ntini 0
A. Symonds not out 4
Extras (b-9 lb-5 nb-4 w-1) 19
Total (for 5 wickets, 88 overs) 228

Fall of wickets: 1-0 2-97 3-198 4-218 5-219

To bat: S. Warne, A. Gilchrist, M. Kasprowicz, S. Clark

Bowling: S. Pollock 20 - 7 - 33 - 0 (nb-4 w-1), M. Ntini 16 - 2 - 50 - 3, A. Nel 19 - 7 - 45 - 0, J. Kallis 15 - 6 - 33 - 1, N. Boje 18 - 1 - 53 - 1