South Africa conceded a huge advantage due to a costly non-review in the World Test Championship final at Lord's, as Australia's fiery pace attack hit back to put them on the back foot.

After South Africa captain Temba Bavuma won the toss and chose to bowl first, Kagiso Rabada pierced through the Australian batting line-up, picking up 5 wickets for 51 runs. It was Rabada's 17th five-wicket haul in Test cricket. Not only did he etch his name onto the Lord's honours board for a second time and help dismiss Australia for 212, but he also moved above Allan Donald into fourth on South Africa's all-time list of Test wicket-takers in the process, with 332 wickets.

But when South Africa walked in to bat with hopes of lifting their first ICC trophy in 27 years, they were left reeling at 4 for 43 at stumps on Day 1.

A masterful display of bowling by Australia's famed pace trio – Mitchell Starc (2-10), Pat Cummins (1-14), and Josh Hazlewood (1-10) – in the final session of the day left the Proteas in the dark.

South Africa's goof-up with the review proved costly. After two unsuccessful reviews on all-rounder Beau Webster – both ruled as umpire's call – Rabada did not opt for a review when the Australian was hit on the pad for the third time while batting on just eight. Umpire Richard Illingworth turned down the LBW appeal, and South Africa chose not to go for the referral.

Batting at No. 6, Webster, playing in only his fourth Test, overcame a tough start to top-score for Australia with a career-best 72. Had he departed early, Australia might not have crossed the 200-run mark, having lost 5 wickets for 20 runs to end their innings after slumping to 4 for 43 at the start.

Rabada later admitted he had made a mistake. "(Squad member) Corbin Bosch came down to fine leg, and he says it was out," Rabada recalled when he discovered the Proteas had conceded a huge opportunity.

"I was like, 'oh man!'. It was a bit annoying. He (Webster) didn't start off too well out there. Looked like he was going to get out any ball, but I guess his positive intent got him through," said Rabada.

Even Steve Smith, who played a defiant 66-run knock while still coughing after battling through flu, expressed his astonishment at South Africa not opting for a review. He put on a crucial 79-run stand with Webster after Australia were limping at 4-67.

"It looked pretty good to me from the other end. I don't know what happened actually," Smith said of South Africa not using a review for the third time.

"I know Beau was in a little bit of pain; I don't think it actually hit his pad, I think it just hit his leg. They had a chance to use a referral and didn't," he added.

Captain Bavuma (3) will resume in the middle on Thursday with David Bedingham (8).

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