Captain Graeme Smith and HashimAmla blasted centuries to send South Africa racing to a crazy eight-wicket win over an embarrassed Australia in the first Test on Friday.
South Africa won inside two-and-a-half days at Newlands after trailing by a hefty 188 runs on the first innings, completing a staggering turnaround in an amazing match to lead the two-Test series.
Australia needed a last-wicket partnership of 26 runs to avoid the record for the all-time lowest team total in Test cricket, finally collapsing to 47 all out on a chaotic second day of the first match against South Africa at Newlands on Thursday.
No. 11 Nathan Lyon top-scored with 14 and No. 10 Peter Siddle was next with 12 not out to steer Australia from 21-9 - five runs off the worst score in Test history, when New Zealand was bowled out by England for 26 in 1955.
Debutant Vernon Philander took 5-15 and MorneMorkel 3-9, but Australia still lead by 235 runs at Newlands.
Shane Watson took 5-17 in a devastating five-over spell after lunch as Australia ripped South Africa out for just 96 for a 188-run first-innings lead on the second day of the opening Test at Newlands on Thursday.
Watson dismissed HashimAmla and Jacques Kallis in the first over of the afternoon session to start the slide, South losing 9-47 after the lunch break.
Michael Clarke made a majestic 151 and helped Australia add 70 runs for their last two wickets to claw their way back on Day Two of the first Test against South Africa at Newlands on Thursday.
Clarke shared a vital 59-run partnership with tailender Peter Siddle to lift the tourists to 284 all out in their first innings after resuming on 214-8.
Australia's captain Michael Clarke answered almost every question posed by a fiery South Africa attack but lost a valuable ally in Shaun Marsh as the visitors reached 143 for 4 at tea, on a rain-affected day one of the first Test at Newlands.
Australia were 143 for four at tea with Clarke 74 not out.
The visitors crashed to 40 for three after being sent in to bat before Clarke was the dominant partner in a fourth-wicket stand of 103 with Shaun Marsh (44).
Fast bowler Dale Steyn claimed the wickets of Shane Watson and Ricky Ponting, while new cap Vernon Philander had Phil Hughes caught behind as Australia struggled in seam friendly conditions after rain delayed the start by almost two hours.
Steyn dismissed Marsh with the first ball of his third spell when he was called back for what proved to be the last over before tea. He had figures of three for 17 in ten overs.
Clarke was given a torrid time by Steyn at the start of his innings before launching a counter-attack when Steyn was replaced by Jacques Kallis. The Australian captain scored 40 of the runs as the stand with Marsh became worth 50, reached 5000 runs in Test cricket when his score was on 44, and hurried to his fifty off only 56 balls with nine fours. By tea he had faced 77 deliveries and hit 13 boundaries.
The left-handed Marsh was tested with some short-pitched bowling early on but remained unruffled, collecting runs when the bowlers strayed in line or length in a 101-ball innings which included eight fours.
Marsh was trapped on his crease and given out by umpire Ian Gould. He asked for a review but it confirmed that Gould was right.
Earlier, South Africa successfully sought a review when Ponting was given not out against Steyn by umpire Billy Doctrove. South Africa also had an unsuccessful review when Gould gave Marsh not out on 28 against Philander.
Philander, 26, was one of two new caps, with South Africa also selecting Pakistan-born leg-spinner ImranTahir, 32. Tahir did not look threatening in his six overs, conceding 26 runs.
