Quick hits: Marnus caught in ugly exchange after all-time send off

Marnus Labuschagne was involved in an ugly moment of DRS drama after giving a retaliatory send-off, as Temba Bavuma threw his wicket away in the shadows of stumps.

Here are the quick hits from day three of the third Test between Australia and South Africa.

1. DRS drama and Labuschagne's ugly exchange 

It was one of the most contentious moments of the series when, midway through the evening session, with South Africa 2-95 and still five runs behind, Mitchell Starc collected Marques Ackerman with a steepling, searing bouncer.

The South African lost his balance as the ball thudded into what looked to be a mixture of helmet and bat before flying to Cam Green behind the wicket.

The Australians went up and so did the umpire's finger.

Undoubtedly dazed from the contact, the batter regained his composure and met with partner Temba Bavuma.

Eventually, a referral was called for, but only as the DRS timer ticked to zero.

It was touch and go, but the officials deemed Ackerman had taken too long, despite the severity of the hit.

With the South Africans pleading their case to the umpires, the ever-vocal Marnus Labuschagne could be heard giving his own opinion over the stump mic.

"The timer's up, oh no, see you buddy!" Labuschagne said from his position at the other end of the wicket.

Meanwhile, Travis Head had made his way over to the South African camp.

"Heady, what are you doing mate? He's off!" Labuschagne could be heard saying.

Head, hands outstretched towards batter and umpire in what appeared to be a peace offering, turned back towards his team and replied.

"I'm just checking if he's alright," Head said.

Reluctantly, Ackerman made his from the middle, but spent some time at the boundary in the futile hope of being called back.

Thankfully, the replays showed the ball had collected a thick edge before crashing into visor, meaning Ackerman was doomed to be out for 62 even if the review had been permitted.

Even so, it was an ugly exchange and one unlikely to endear Labuschagne to either his opponents or those watching on.

2. Bloodied Harmer keeps South Africa in the game

With an advantage to press home at the beginning of day three, the set Australian pair of Alex Carey and Josh Inglis would have been hoping for at least another full session of batting.

The conditions were perfect, the pitch was flat, and things looked very promising as Inglis reverse-swept his way to a hugely impressive second Test century. 

However, neither wicketkeeper-batter would see the other side of the first drinks break, with off spinner Simon Harmer once again doing the damage.

Only moments after ripping a nail and bloodying his fingers while attempting a low catch with his non-bowling hand, Harmer had Inglis caught behind for 102.

It was a brilliant delivery; drifting away, spinning in and kissing the outside edge of the Western Australian's blade.

Four overs later, a similarly exquisite off break had Carey (80) nudging to Aiden Markram at slip, and Harmer, a fingernail down, had dragged his side back into the game.

Australia's tail proceeded to eke out a 100-run first-innings lead, eventually dismissed for 429.

3. Marnus gives it to Bedingham

Labuschagne was in quite a mood on day three.

Before the DRS drama in the evening session, the Queenslander took quite some pleasure in giving it back to Proteas batter David Bedingham.

On day two, Matthew Breetzke had joyously celebrated Labuschagne's five-ball duck by leaping over the pitch and shouting directly at the Australian.

And when Bedingham holed out to Josh Hazlewood during the middle session on day three, Labuschagne responded in similar fashion.

The Queenslander had his chest puffed out as he ran towards the South African, face red and fist pumping, screaming what you can only imagine was something entirely considered and reasonable.

Bedingham was out for 11 and South Africa's second innings was already beginning to teeter at 2-31.

4. A strange moment on the hill

It was a strange morning on the hill.

During the first session, the broadcast cameras found a man holding a sign that read: "Ryan Rickelton, is your mum single?"

The middle-aged gentleman received a good amount of screen time, which he used to blow kisses and adjust his sunglasses in a performance that probably wouldn't have endeared him to anyone in the Rickelton family.

Rickelton, South Africa's wicketkeeper-batter, was stony-faced in response, before pursing his lips and shaking his head solemnly.

The commentators were lost for words at what was an uncomfortable moment for everyone involved — and especially, you'd imagine, for Ryan Rickelton's mother.

5. Bavuma throws it away in the shadows of stumps

Stumps were in sight for Bavuma and Matthew Breetzke.

The South African pair had so diligently rebuilt South Africa's innings after Ackerman's dismissal, and had just eight more balls to survive.

But with shadows lengthening at Newlands and with the pitch offering more and more for the slower bowlers, Nathan Lyon conjured a little bit of magic.

It was the perfect off spinner's delivery; drifting, turning sharply and bowling a swinging Bavuma clean through the gate.

However, it was a wildly inappropriate shot from the usually so-considered Bavuma, and the South African captain couldn't quite believe what had happened.

He grimaced and shook his head as he made is way from the middle for 35, with South Africa finishing the day on 4-140 and just 40 runs in front.