South Africa near historic win

South Africa are just 51 runs away from inflicting another emphatic defeat on the Australians after a fluent 75 from Graeme Smith helped guide them to 132 for one at lunch.

Needing a flurry of wickets early on the final day to have any hope of winning, the Australians were denied by Smith and fellow opener Neil McKenzie until the final 15 minutes before lunch.

Smith - the dominant partner in a 121-run stand with McKenzie - showed the leadership befitting of a man who was made captain of his country at just 22.

He cashed in on Australia's all-out attack, striking seven of his 10 boundaries with cuts and deflections through the vacant third man region.

Comfortable against all four of Australia's frontline bowlers, Smith looked likely to see South Africa through to the end before unexpectedly losing his wicket close to lunch.

Nathan Hauritz was the wicket-taker, persuading umpire Billy Doctrove to lift his finger after striking Smith on his front pad with an arm ball.

It was somewhat of a surprise Smith was the first to go as partner Neil McKenzie appeared the most vulnerable of the pair. McKenzie, with scores of two, 10 and zero, struggled early on but kept his wicket intact.

He survived strong lbw shouts from Brett Lee, bowling despite nursing an injured foot that is likely to keep him out of the Sydney Test, and Mitchell Johnson.

However, he began to look more fluent as the session wore on in reaching 37 not out at lunch.