Australia went to stumps on day two of the series-deciding third Test at 4-330 in reply to South Africa's first-innings 329, with the lead and control of the game.
Pat Cummins' decision to bowl first was heavily criticised, particularly after South Africa reached 0-140 at lunch before Mitchell Starc's six-wicket haul.
But Starc's wickets gave his batters the favourable conditions to go to work on Wednesday, putting on one of their most well-rounded batting displays in years under blue Cape Town skies.
Matt Renshaw scored 74 on moving back to the top of the order, while Cameon Green hit 65 on his return from injury.
And when they fell in quick succession, late call-up Josh Inglis (85no) and the back-in-form Alex Carey (51no) went to stumps unbeaten.
Australia have been desperate to find a day like this, after being bowled out for 99 in Gqeberha last week and conceding they had not batted well as a unit.
Since the start of 2024, Australia had only had 12 century stands in 25 Tests, with only West Indies having less in that period of all World Test Championship sides.
On Wednesday, they produced two with Green and Renshaw putting on 136 for the third wicket and Inglis and Carey adding an unbeaten 145 for the fifth.
Wednesday also marked only the third time in those 25 Tests that Pat Cummins' side had four players pass 50 in the same innings.
And it came with the series and Australia's status as the world's No.1-ranked team up for grabs.
"It was just about building partnerships," Renshaw said.
"We've hinted at some partnerships over the first two Tests, probably more so with the bowlers.
"So it was just about trying to build some partnerships out there and fortunately we had a couple of good ones."
The only Australian who would have been frustrated was Labuschagne, after he arrived at Newlands needing a score to keep his spot.
He has cut a tense figure all week with his Test career on the line, and carried that approach into his brief innings on Wednesday after Travis Head chopped on - again - for 41.
Labuschagne was tentative to his first few balls from Simon Harmer, before going back to a ball he should have gone forward to, edging the spinner to slip.
If Australia had more batting depth on the tour or if it was a home series, Labuschagne could well have been gone already.
That fate now surely awaits for December's home series against New Zealand.
Labuschagne aside, Australia batted with a calmness all day, rarely hooking or pulling and being happy to accumulate after the Proteas were bounced out on day one.
"It was just sticking to our processes as long as possible," Renshaw said.
"We knew that they were going to come hard through periods.
"We didn't have the bouncers, consistent chips in that we did to them, but it probably felt like (pulling) was an opportunity to get out."
Renshaw swept well and was again particularly impressive against spin, taking few risks until he tried to uppercut Marco Jansen and was caught behind.
Green looked a ready-made top-order batter at No.4, and was also controlled with the exception of one curious over against Rabada when he twice pulled him for sixes.
Having put the shot away before that, the first one sailed over the rope before the second marginally cleared Marques Ackerman after he was moved to the boundary.
Green briefly admonished himself and regained his control, before pushing at a Jansen ball and edging him to slip less than two overs after Renshaw's exit.
At 4-185, the door suddenly looked open for South Africa, but Inglis and Carey continued the accumulation and got through the final session unscathed.
Inglis's fine knock will mean he likely remains in the side for Labuschagne when Steve Smith returns, after sweeping and cutting well and also pulling Rabada for six.
