South Africa close in on victory

Ricky Ponting proved the only batsman capable of providing any real resistance against the tourists` attack in crafting an unbeaten 87 and the skipper is on the verge of a century in each innings for the fourth time in his career,

After taking five for 87 and making an invaluable 76 yesterday, Dale Steyn put himself firmly in the frame for man-of-the-match honours, taking four big wickets to decimate the Australian order.

A day after surrendering control of the match to Jean-Paul Duminy and the South African tail, Australia again endured a torrid time in the middle. Unfortunately, the gravity of the situation could not lift Matthew Hayden and Mike Hussey out of their respective slumps.

While Hussey's run, albeit worrying, is far from terminal to his career, Hayden's is not. The opener, a shadow of the imposing batsman of yesteryear, again failed in making only 23.

Rather than grind his way back into form , Hayden went down swinging but that formula proved unsuccessful when he was caught at short cover by Duminy trying to drive Steyn in a dismissal not too dissimilar from that of his first innings.

Simon Katich, normally a dogged occupier of the crease, also fell playing an attacking shot when he was caught behind by Boucher off Steyn after finding a wide half-volley too tempting to leave alone.

Hussey, however, had reason to feel aggrieved when he was given out for two off a brutal bouncer from Morne Morkel. The ball ballooned off Hussey's helmet and Hashim Amla took a simple catch coming round from square but replays indicated it had not touched his bat or gloves before striking him in the head.

Michael Clarke could not repeat the gritty knock he produced in the first innings and departed for 29 after mistiming a drive off Steyn and Andrew Symonds was then caught in the cordon five balls later, again off Steyn's bowling, for a duck.

But there was worse to come for the home side. Brad Haddin was caught driving a tempting wide offering from Ntini before Brett Lee, who was unable to bowl due to a foot injury yesterday, was bowled by Jacques Kallis with the last ball before tea.