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Big spenders across Australia are hitting the Boxing Day sales in store and online with a predicted $23.5 billion splurge.

Shoppers are also being urged to spend within their means to avoid a debt hangover in the new year.

Despite inflation and cost of living pressures squeezing household budgets, forecasts by the Australian Retailers Association expected retail sales to remain strong.

The record-high spend is set to show a 7.9 per cent increase on last year's post-Christmas shopping, which takes in the period from December 26 to January 15.

Australians are also returning to in-store shopping after health restrictions in the past two years dampened consumer confidence.

But the association's chief Paul Zahra said the days of queuing outside stores well before they opened were long gone.

"In the past it was all about being first in store, but with online shopping it's much easier to not miss out," he told AAP.

"There's more of an ease into Boxing Day sales ... it's a change in a good way as it's a much more relaxed and safer way to shop."

NSW shoppers are expected to spend the most, up an expected 9.5 per cent on 2021.

Mr Zahra said he expected this year's sales to be the biggest spend in the history of the country.

He said fashion retailers would be the most popular among this year's bargain hunters, with great clothing deals as stores look to clear inventories before winter.

After capital cities had unseasonably cold weather ahead of Christmas, Mr Zahra said retailers were keen to get their summer stock moving while online shoppers would look for bargains on household goods.

He said a large portion of home owners on fixed interest rates are yet to feel the pressure from rate increases.

The Nation Retail Association predicted a $3 billion spend in Boxing Day sales alone across Australia.

Interim chief executive Lindsay Carroll said despite the growing popularity of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Boxing Day still reigned supreme for Australian shoppers.

Travellers looking for cheaper airfares could also be in luck with budget airline Jetstar promising sales on more than 80,000 domestic and international fares over 48 hours.

Qantas also promised discounts as part of a five-day domestic airfare sale.

But financial comparison website RateCity urged shoppers to keep track of their spending to avoid a debt hangover.

Research director Sally Tindall warned against using buy-now pay-later platforms which can create budget chaos if people don't have the means to pay the money back.

"Next year is going to be a tough one financially for many households, with more interest rate hikes lurking around the corner," she said.

"The last thing you want is to start the new year on the backfoot, surrounded by Boxing Day debts you can't repay."

© AAP 2022

Newly minted IPL millionaire Cameron Green has awoken from his summer slumber to take career-best figures and give Australia control of the Boxing Day Test against South Africa.

The young allrounder demolished the Proteas with four wickets in the final session at the MCG on Monday, claiming 5-27 as South Africa were dismissed for 189.

Australia went to stumps on day one at 1-45 with David Warner unbeaten on 32 as the under-pressure veteran fights to save his red-ball career in his 100th Test match.

Proteas talisman Kagiso Rabada removed Warner's opening partner Usman Khawaja (1), leaving the world's No.1-ranked men's Test batter Marnus Labuschagne (5no) to come out and face the final six overs of the day.

Three days after being bought by the Mumbai Indians for a record $3.15 million in the IPL auction, Green helped turn the second Test back in Australia's favour after a brief fightback from the Proteas.

The 23-year-old has barely been required in Australia's three convincing Test victories this summer, struggling to impact matches with bat or ball.

However, Green returned to form in stunning fashion during his 18th career Test, running through South Africa's fragile tail to trigger a dramatic collapse of 5-10.

The towering West Australian bettered his previous Test figures of 3-21 against England in January's Ashes finale.

Green said he had not been distracted by the IPL auction during recent months and believed other circumstances had impacted his ability to perform at a high standard.

For months, he had been touted to break the record sum for an Australian in the IPL, with England captain Jos Buttler sledging him during last month's ODI series about "chasing the ink".

"You can have a really slow start to the summer and think cricket's tough, and then you have a few days like this and it kind of brings you back," Green said.

"It probably still hasn't sunk in now (taking five wickets on Boxing Day).

"It's a very special feeling and I'm sure I'll remember that for a very long time."

The Proteas' tail failed to show any resistance after an impressive 112-run sixth-wicket stand between bowling allrounder Marco Jansen (59) and wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne (52) raised the visitors' hopes of reaching a competitive total.

South Africa slumped to 4-58 at lunch, vindicating Australia captain Pat Cummins' decision to bowl first for the second consecutive match after winning the toss.

From 5-67, Jansen and Verreynne were able to revive Proteas hopes during the second session as they got to tea at 5-144, but it quickly fell apart once the latter departed.

South Africa had made an encouraging start at 1-56 after being beaten in two days at the Gabba, but they lost 3-2 to end the first session.

Proteas captain Dean Elgar failed to capitalise on his good fortune, including the ball hitting the stumps but failing to dislodge the bails, and was run out for 26.

South Africa's innings faltered in similar circumstances to their performances in Brisbane last week when they were rolled for 152 and 99.

It was the seventh straight Test innings the Proteas have failed to reach 200.

"I suppose they obviously bowled really nicely at us in the last game," Verreynne said of Cummins' decision to bowl first.

"They probably just wanted to have a crack at our batters early on."

Star Australia quick Mitchell Starc (2-39) went off the field for about 30 minutes and has been sent for scans after hurting the middle finger on his bowling hand while attempting a catch in the deep.

© AAP 2022

Australia captain Pat Cummins has opted to bowl first for the second match in a row, sending South Africa in to bat in the Boxing Day Test at the MCG.

Cummins won the toss on Monday and had no hesitation in trying to heap more pressure on the Proteas' struggling batting line-up.

South Africa have won three successive series in Australia but are 1-0 down going into the traditional Melbourne blockbuster after being crushed by six wickets inside two days on a green-top at the Gabba last week.

"I wouldn't say it's as green as the Gabba, but it looks like a good wicket," Cummins said.

"Here at the MCG the wicket just gets better and better. It doesn't look like a raging green seamer so we'll see how we go."

South Africa captain Dean Elgar was surprised by Cummins' decision to bowl first.

"Generally you want to bat first here but that's his decision," Elgar said.

"Conditions look pretty good to bat in, it's going to be nice and hot so everything will be in favour of the batters."

The Proteas have made one change, with Theunis de Bruyn replacing Rassie van der Dussen at No.3.

Scott Boland has retained his spot, with fellow quick Josh Hazlewood ruling himself out as he continues to recover from a side-strain injury.

The Victorian fast bowler will return to the scene of his famous Test debut last December, when he ran through England with 6-7 to secure man-of-the-match honours and help Australia retain the Ashes.

Veteran opener David Warner will become just the 14th Australian to play 100 Tests against the Proteas, but is facing a fight to bow out of red-ball cricket on his own terms after not making a century in the format since January 2020.

The Boxing Day Test, always a memorable occasion, will be even more special this year as Cricket Australia pay tribute to legendary spin king Shane Warne.

AUSTRALIA: David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (capt), Scott Boland, Nathan Lyon.

SOUTH AFRICA: Dean Elgar (capt), Sarel Erwee, Theunis de Bruyn, Temba Bavuma, Khaya Zondo, Kyle Verreynne, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi.

© AAP 2022