Cape Town: Fast bowlers Ryan Harris and Mitchell Johnson shared seven wickets as Australia continued their domination on the third day of the third and final Test against South Africa at Newlands on Monday.
Australia bowled out South Africa for 287, a lead of 207, and added another 27 runs for no wicket before close of play.
Harris took three for 63 and Johnson four for 42.
Captain Michael Clarke’s decision to declare at Australia’s overnight total of 494 for seven paid off as his South African counterpart Graeme Smith failed again and South Africa lost four wickets before lunch.
Despite losing early wickets, South Africa scored freely during an extended morning’s play, reaching 127 for four off 32 overs at lunch.
But with the Australian bowlers achieving reverse swing as the ball got older, the scoring slowed to a trickle after in-form batsman AB de Villiers was caught at second slip off Johnson for 14 soon after lunch.
JP Duminy fell to a catch behind by Brad Haddin off Harris for four before Faf du Plessis and Vernon Philander came together in a seventh-wicket stand of 95, the best of the innings.
Du Plessis battled his way to 67 before Johnson returned to the attack and he edged a drive fast and low to gully, where David Warner held a good catch.
Smith was caught behind for five off a ball from Harris which seamed away. Smith has made only 42 runs in five innings in the series.
Dean Elgar made 11 before he was superbly caught by Haddin off James Pattinson, the keeper flinging himself to his right to hold an edge.
Alviro Petersen and Hashim Amla added 53 off 58 balls with Petersen reaching a fluent half-century off 50 balls with eight fours. But Petersen added only three more before falling to Johnson. Amla looked in good form but was bowled for 38 by Harris. (AFP)
Brief scores:
Aus 1st inn: 494/7 dec
SA 1st inn: 287 all out (F du Plessis 67, A Petersen 53; M Johnson 4-42, R Harris 3-63)
Aus 2nd inn: 27/0 (D Warner 25*)