Hobart: South Africa were five for 171 at the close after skittling Australia for 85 on the opening day of the second Test in Hobart on Saturday.
The Australians capitulated to their lowest total against South Africa at home with Vernon Philander taking five for 21 despite injuring his shoulder in a mid-pitch collision with Steve Smith, who remained unbeaten on 48.
At stumps, Temba Bavuma was not out 38 with Quinton de Kock on 28, with the Proteas leading by 86 runs.
Earlier, Paceman Vernon Philander tore through Australia's top order and finished with 5-21, having returned to the field after lunch following a heavy clash with Australia captain Steve Smith, who barrelled into the bowler as he ran through for a single.
Australia's 85 was the lowest total in tests in Hobart, eclipsing the 136 scored against New Zealand in 2011.
It was also well short of the 111 scored against the Proteas at the Sydney Cricket Ground in 1994.
Australia were six for 43 at lunch, having flirted with a record low innings score after being sent in to bat on a moist, green-tinged wicket in overcast conditions.
They were earlier reduced to four for 8 with Adam Voges' wicket, and although debutant Callum Ferguson saw off Philander's hat-trick ball, further drama was to come as Smith crashed into the bowler's back mid-pitch.
Philander, who had been appealing for lbw before the contact, slumped to the ground clutching his bowling shoulder and minutes later came off the ground grimacing in pain.
South Africa lost a review for the lbw appeal but Ferguson was run out by a direct hit minutes later from substitute fielder Dane Vilas at deep backward point.
That left Australia five for 17, with South Africa's pace attack extracting devilish movement off the moist wicket.
Smith and wicketkeeper Neville spared their team the unenviable record for the lowest innings in test cricket, surpassing New Zealand's 26 against England in 1955.
But Neville was soon out for three, trapped lbw by young seamer Kagiso Rabada after Du Plessis asked to review the not-out decision.
Australia limped past their record low score of 36 against England at Edgbaston in 1902 but were still adrift of their lowest score of 58 on home wickets, against England in Brisbane in 1936.
Fast bowler Kyle Abbott, who replaced injured paceman Dale Steyn, took the second wicket in his opening over, trapping recalled opener Joe Burns lbw for one.
Khawaja (4) lasted 25 deliveries before being well caught by Hashim Amla in the slips, but Voges was gone for a first-ball duck, snaffled by wicketkeeper Quinton De Kock.
Australia lost the first test of the three-match series by 177 runs in Perth.
Brief scores
Australia - 85 (Smith 48*, Philander 5-21, Abbott 3-41)
South Africa - 5 for 171 (Amla 47, Starc 3-49)
Status - South Africa lead by 86 runs