Faf du Plessis frustrated Australia for almost three hours on day three, but South Africa still handed over a 207-run first-innings lead in the Test series decider.
Mitchell Johnson and Ryan Harris bowled magnificently in Cape Town on Monday as the world’s No.1 Test side crumbled after Michael Clarke’s declaration before the start of play.
Clarke ended his masterful knock on 161 not out and Australia’s first innings at 7-494, then seven and a half hours later opted against enforcing the follow-on when the Proteas were all out for 287.
Australia retain the same upper hand they’ve had in the match since David Warner’s dashing century on day one, and are well placed to record their greatest achievement under the captaincy of Clarke.
The Proteas fought back well from 6-146 but have much work to do if they’re to avoid a defeat that would result in a first Test series loss since March, 2009 – also against Australia at home.
Harris (3-63 from 22 overs) returned to form with devastating effect, swinging the ball well to collect the scalps of second-Test centurions Hashim Amla (38) and JP Duminy (four).
The 34-year-old, who will undergo knee surgery after this Test, also removed captain Graeme Smith for five to start the rot.
Johnson (4-42 from 19 overs) dismissed Alviro Petersen for 53, in-form AB de Villiers for 14 and then top-scorer du Plessis for 67 to overtake Jason Gillespie and rise to sixth on Australia’s all-time Test wicker-takers.
The left-armer also smashed the logo on Dale Steyn’s helmet, before getting the hamstrung paceman out edging for 28.
Du Plessis famously batted for almost eight hours to secure his side a draw on Test debut 16 months ago in Adelaide and looked to repeat the dogged dose at Newlands.
But after offering three chances, he was undone by an ill-fated drive and low catch from Warner at gully.
The right-hander had raised the opposition’s ire in the second session when he picked up the ball to deliver it back to Johnson, and also ducked off for a lengthy toilet break.
Brad Haddin pocketed four catches, moving to ninth on the all-time wicketkeeping record for most Test dismissals with 232.
None were more spectacular than that which removed Dean Elgar for 11, with the 36-year-old flinging himself to the right and reeling in the ball with one hand.
Vernon Philander (37 not out) was at the centre of the rearguard, but the tourists needed 2.5 overs of the second new ball to polish the tail off.