Mitchell Starc has been cleared of a serious finger injury, despite leaving the field late in the opening day of the Boxing Day Test.
The left-armer took two wickets on Monday, with the visiting South African side bowled out for 189 runs at the MCG.
Cameron Green starred with a five-wicket haul, before under-pressure opening batsman David Warner got the Aussies off to a strong start and will resume on 32* for the second day.
The injury to Starc could have put a dampener on the mood in the Aussie dressing rooms, but scans have cleared him of any serious damage and the veteran seamer will be able to bowl in the second innings.
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Starc sustained the injury while fielding the ball near the boundary, but despite the gruesome nature, team doctors revealed it was not a dislocation.
The Daily Telegraph has revealed that Starc suffered 'tendon damage' and is likely to miss the final Test of the series at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Off-spinner Nathan Lyon told cricket.com.au after the match that Starc's injury could be a problem in the second innings.
"Not ideal, I don't think...he's popped off for a scan now," Lyon said.
"Fingers crossed we can get the best possible result with his scan.
"I don't know what he's technically done, but it doesn't look the greatest. He went out the back and tried to bowl, but I think it [felt] a bit different to be honest.
"Unfortunately injuries are part of the game - all we can hope for is he gets the best possible result with the scan."
It's the second injury of this nature Starc has suffered in the past six months, after slicing the top of his finger during a freak accident in Sri Lanka earlier in 2022.
Under the ICC rules, Starc will likely be permitted to wear tape on his bowling hand during play as the injury was sustained while on the field, as opposed to being carried into the match.
Australia will resume at 1/45 as they look to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-game series.