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Perth: South Africa produced a dominant performance with bat and ball as they powered their way into an almost unassailable position on day two of the third Test at the WACA on Saturday.
The Proteas skittled Australia for 163 before reaching 2-230 in their second innings to establish a formidable 292-run lead.
Graeme Smith (84) and Hashim Amla (99 not out) made light work of a lacklustre home attack as they compiled a 206-run second-wicket stand, putting the visitors in a strong position to win and retain their status as the world's No.1 Test side.
Australian wicketkeeper Matthew Wade (68) and debutant John Hastings (32) provided the only meaningful resistance during a woeful batting display from the hosts, whose top order had no answer to the pace and bounce generated by Dale Steyn (4-40), Vernon Philander (2-55) and Morne Morkel (1-19).
Shane Watson, Michael Clarke and Michael Hussey contributed only 27 runs between them, while Ricky Ponting fell cheaply for the fourth time this series.
A bumper crowd had arrived early at the WACA to witness Ponting's penultimate Test innings, but it was over almost before it began as the former skipper was trapped in front by Philander having scored just four.
Ponting, though, was the third wicket to go on Saturday morning in Perth after David Warner (13) and nightwatchman Nathan Lyon fell cheaply.
Warner was caught behind off the finest of fine edges from a rejuvenated Steyn, while the South African bowler also dismissed Lyon prior to Ponting's wicket falling.
And although Hussey hung around long enough to put on 55 with the pugnacious Wade, he became Morkel's 12th victim of the series shortly before lunch as Australia ended a catastrophic morning session reeling at 7-118.
Having struck three sixes and seven fours in bringing up his second Test half-century before the interval, Wade found the going far tougher when play resumed.
Mitchell Johnson (seven) and Hastings then eked out a further 23 runs between them before the latter was caught in spectacular style by Alviro Petersen in the deep to ensure the Proteas would take a 62-run lead into their second innings.
Australia desperately needed to make some early inroads into South Africa's top order to stand any chance of forcing their way back into the contest and they managed to do so in the very first over of the final session.
It was Johnson (1-35) who struck the blow, drawing a leading edge from Petersen (23) and launching himself in a full-length forward dive to claim a stunning return catch off his own bowling.
Australia's efforts to build upon that breakthrough, however, ran into a stone wall in the form of Smith and Amla who, aided by some wayward bowling, calmly kept their side in the ascendancy.
Brief scores
South Africa 225 and 2 for 230 (Amla 99*, Smith 84)
Australia 163 (Wade 68, Hastings 32, Steyn 4-40, Peterson 3-44)
Status South Africa lead by 292 runs
