By Telford Vice

CAPE TOWN - Openers Wasim Jaffer and Dinesh Karthik shared a century stand to put India on top on the first day of the third and final test against South Africa on Tuesday.

Jaffer was 84 not out with Karthik on 63 as India, who won the toss and chose to bat, reached tea on 153 without loss.

The Indian openers were able to settle at their own pace on the flattest pitch of the series and against a South African attack that failed to make them play often enough.

Just eight runs were scored off the first five overs, but Jaffer raised the pace when he cut fast bowler Makhaya Ntini through third man for four in the sixth over and then drove Ntini's next ball through the off-side for another boundary.

Jaffer stroked India past 50 when he hit Shaun Pollock through midwicket for four in the seventh over before lunch.

India reached three figures midway through the second session when Karthik took a leg-bye off Pollock.

South Africa capped left-arm spinner Paul Harris, while all rounder Jacques Kallis and fast bowler Dale Steyn returned to action from injuries that kept them out of the second test.

India fast bowler Munaf Patel, sidelined since injuring an ankle in the second one-day international on November 22, won back his place in the team at the expense of Vikram Singh.

India won the first test by 123 runs before South Africa levelled the series by capturing the second match by 174 runs.