Tahir, Philander in as South Africa bowl in first Test

CAPE TOWN: South Africa won the toss and decided to send Australia in to bat in the first Test at Newlands on Wednesday.

South Africa named two new caps in Pakistan-born leg-spinner Imran Tahir, 32, and home town seam bowler Vernon Philander, 26.

Australia made only one change from the side that beat South Africa A in a warm-up game last week with fast bowler Ryan Harris replacing Trent Copeland.

Rain delayed the start of play by an hour and 45 minutes. The first session was due to continue until 1.30pm, an hour later than usual, and 75 overs were due to be bowled in the day.

Teams:

South Africa: Graeme Smith (capt), Jacques Rudolph, Hashim Amla, Jacques Kallis, AB de Villiers, Ashwell Prince, Mark Boucher (wkt), Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Vernon Philander, Imran Tahir.

Australia: Michael Clarke (capt), Shane Watson, Phillip Hughes, Shaun Marsh, Ricky Ponting, Michael Hussey, Brad Haddin (wkt), Mitchell Johnson, Peter Siddle, Ryan Harris, Nathan Lyon.

Umpires: Billy Doctrove (WIS), Ian Gould (ENG)

TV umpire: Billy Bowden (NZL)

Match referee: Roshan Mahanama (SRI)