Renshaw’s superb innings, and opener Ryan Rickelton’s three-ball duck in the 8.4 overs before bad light halted South Africa’s reply, has left Australia well placed to push for victory on a pitch that flattened out on day two, but is expected to take turn later in the Test.

This series has been eagerly anticipated, given it is a repeat of last year’s World Test Championship final, which was won by the Proteas.

It is also the third in a possible 21 Tests for Australia before the end of the Ashes next summer and, while Renshaw has surely secured his immediate future at least, his knock does not alleviate all questions over the make-up of their side.

When he was recalled in August it was in place of Jake Weatherald as opener, but he was moved down to number five for this Test when Cameron Green was ruled out.

Nic Maddinson came in at the top of the order alongside Travis Head, giving Australia an 11th different opening partnership since the retirement of David Warner.

With Green, the regular number five, expected to return and Maddinson making a 33-ball duck on day one, a solution to their top-order struggles would be to move Renshaw up again.

That would reunite him with Head, who made the surprise move to opener to impressive effect in the Ashes – he flogged England for centuries in Perth, Adelaide and Sydney – but has also shown vulnerability in failing to pass 22 in his four innings since.

Equally, Renshaw could stay in the middle order and Green return for fellow-all-rounder Beau Webster, meaning Australia’s hunt for a settled opening pair would continue.

“No idea,” Renshaw said of the decision ahead. “That’s well above my pay grade.

“Whatever is the best for the team is the one for me. I am not too fussed.”