(MENAFN- Kora) David Warner (145) grabbed a second century of the match, and third of the series, as Australia powered to 303-5 before declaring with a lead of 510
That brought Proteas captain Graeme Smith to the crease for the final time in his Test career, having announced his retirement on Monday, but the 33-year-old departed for just three as the hosts' top order crumbled
Having already seen opening partner Alviro Petersen out lbw for nine before Smith fell, South Africa's hopes of salvaging the Test looked in tatters as Dean Elgar was bowled by a Mitchell Johnson (2-31 from 13 overs) beauty just before lunch for a duck
AB de Villiers (16 not out) and Hashim Amla (41) looked to have stemmed the flow of wickets, but the latter fell shortly before the close of play, trapped in front by an arcing James Pattinson (1-13 off nine) delivery
De Villiers' efforts on day five will be crucial to South Africa's hopes of grabbing an unlikely draw from the match, as he resumes alongside nightwatchman Kyle Abbott (one not out) with South Africa on 71-4
Opening the day on 27-0, openers Chris Rogers (39) and Warner added 96 before the 36-year-old was run out well short of his crease by Dale Steyn's direct hit from the deep
With wickets in hand, Warner was typically bullish, launching one Steyn over for 17, though the paceman was clearly still struggling with a hamstring injury and bowled just three overs in the innings
Alex Doolan took over from Rogers' role as patient foil to Warner's expansive stroke-play before edging a steep bouncer from Morne Morkel (1-67 from 13) to Kyle Abbott
Abbott himself (3-61 from 14) accounted for the wickets of Shane Watson (25), Michael Clarke (zero) and eventually Warner as the tourists broke loose and hit quick runs, Steve Smith smashing an unbeaten 36 from just 20 deliveries before Clarke called his batsmen in
Smith came out to a guard of honour as he batted on the international stage for the final time, but was quickly deserted by Petersen, who became Ryan Harris' (1-10 from eight) 100th Test scalp
Smith followed him to the pavilion in the next over, Doolan taking a simple catch at short leg after the opener had edged a delivery from Johnson onto his pads
The final ball before tea summed up Australia's recent Test form as Johnson slung down a lightning-quick delivery that shaped in and sent Elgar's stumps cartwheeling
At 15-3, South Africa were in damage-limitation mode, though De Villiers and Amla managed to see off 30 overs before Pattinson took the latter - whose review was unsuccessful - leaving Abbot to fend off some snarling short deliveries before the close of play brought respite
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.