Siddle edges Aussies closer

The paceman removed Neil McKenzie and then had Jacques Kallis dropped off his first delivery, before he received more reward by dismissing Hashim Amla on what was quickly becoming an unpredictable Kingsmead pitch.

But AB de Villiers was unbeaten on 25 at the break and together with Kallis (32 not out) helped the Proteas consolidate their position in pursuit of an unlikely 546 for victory.

Resuming after lunch at 35 without loss, McKenzie and Amla, who was shifted one place up the order following captain Graeme Smith's broken finger, began steadily, raising the 50 partnership in the 19th over, before the former was out for 31.

A good ball from Siddle bowled just on the line of the off stump nipped back and left the opener uncertain as he edged behind to Brad Haddin ending a 63-run stand.

And the very next delivery, Kallis was enticed into playing at an away swinger that was edged to Marcus North, who reacted late and failed to hang on at first slip.

But Siddle was rewarded for his fine spell of bowling when Amla lost his concentration and chased a wide seaming delivery that was snapped up by Ricky Ponting for 43.

But De Villiers and Kallis held firm and brought up the 50 stand off just 71 balls as South Africa survived until the break - 401 runs away from an unlikely win.

Earlier, the hosts were set the daunting task of chasing 546 after Ponting declared Australia's second innings at 331 for five.

The tourists faced just under eight overs this morning, but it did not stop Phillip Hughes from crossing the 150 mark as he continued to pile on the misery for the hosts, before eventually being dismissed by Makhaya Ntini for 160.