Watch: Jasprit Bumrah foxes Dean Elgar with the "perfect" delivery:
Elgar could only muster three runs off 16 balls. His opening partner Aiden Markram remained unbeaten and registered eight runs off 20 balls. Meanwhile, nightwatchman Keshav Maharaj also didn't lose his wicket and added six runs to the scoreboard.
The duo will resume batting on Day 2.
Earlier on Day 1, India captain Virat Kohli registered a half-century, scoring 79 runs off 201 balls. His gutsy knock also consisted of 12 fours and a six.
Cheteshwar Pujara narrowly missed out on a half-century, slamming 43 runs off 77 balls.
Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen were in top form for South Africa's bowling department, taking four and three wickets respectively. Duanne Olivier, Lungi Ngidi and Maharaj bagged a dismissal each.
With the series locked at 1-1, India are eyeing a historic Test series win in South Africa for the first time.