Proteas gain upper hand

Dale Steyn and Paul Harris starred with the ball, claiming seven wickets between them as the tourists were dismissed for 209.

The new-look opening pair of Imraan Khan (15) and Ashwell Prince (37) then helped the Proteas reach 57 without loss at the close.

Simon Katich and Brad Haddin were the only two batsmen to shine for Australia with 55 and 42 respectively, but the South Africans struck at regular intervals to leave their visitors in a poor position in the third and final match of a series Ricky Ponting's men lead 2-0.

The Australia skipper won his sixth successive toss against the South Africans and opted to bat first, and will have been thoroughly disappointed with the way that the day panned out at Newlands.

The tourists went into lunch at 66 for two, but the home side did not have too long to wait to claim the third wicket.

It came in Steyn's second over when Michael Hussey, who had just reached the 3,000-run mark in Test cricket, received a ball that kicked back off the pitch. He played it into the ground and it bounced back, clipping the bails for 20.

The South African strike bowler came back with the first ball of his next over to clean up the new man Michael Clarke for a third-ball duck to leave the tourists reeling at 81 for four.

Resuming after the tea break at 158 for five, Harris struck an immediate blow when he trapped Brad Haddin in front.

Debutant Bryce McGain was last man out when he became Steyn's fourth victim, edging to AB De Villiers at third slip for two.