Duo edge South Africa ahead

Duminy and the Proteas tail took advantage of an Australian attack missing Brett Lee, who has undergone scans on an injured left foot, to reach 399 for eight and establish an unlikely lead of five at tea on the third day.

The Australians needed less than 47 overs to rip through South Africa's top half yesterday but part-time bowler Michael Hussey took the only wicket to fall thus far on the third day when he had Paul Harris caught in the deep for a brisk 39.

Resuming on 198 for seven, the tourists began the day staring at a hefty first-innings deficit but, remarkably, will carry a handy advantage into the second innings thanks to Duminy's heroics.

After launching the Proteas' revival late on day two via a 43-run partnership with Morne Morkel, the left-hander shared stands of 67 with Harris and an unbroken 148 with Dale Steyn.

His partnership with Steyn, who capitalised on three reprieves to reach 70 not out - the highest score of his career - was a record ninth-wicket stand between the two nations and the 10th-highest of all-time.

The Australians have not come close to dismissing Duminy, who reached his century with a superb cut shot during the middle session. The only time he looked in any trouble came shortly after lunch when, with Steyn dominating the strike, he was tied down by off-spinner Nathan Hauritz.

And upon reaching the nineties, Duminy was gifted five runs thanks to four overthrows from the tiring Australian fielders to calm his nerves. As well as Duminy has batted, Steyn outscored his more talented team-mate as the bowler made Ricky Ponting's men pay a huge price for three dropped chances.

The first came on 32 when he was put down by Ponting at second slip off Mitchell Johnson's bowling and was handed another life having added one more to his tally when Michael Hussey lost sight of a steepling ball in the sun when Steyn tried to hit Hauritz out of the ground.

However, Hauritz had nobody to blame but himself when he missed a return catch with Steyn on 57. Lee, meanwhile, has played no part on the third day due to an injured left foot and it is not know yet whether he will return to the field.