Australia turns the screw

South Africa closed the fourth day of the second Test on 77-4 in their second innings as Australia closed in on victory.

Requiring 430 to win, the tourists soon got into trouble as they slipped to 45-4 before AB de Villiers (12 not out) and Faf du Plessis (19 not out) provided some resistance in the final session.

Australia had earlier pushed their overnight 111-5 to 267-8 thanks to solid contributions from Michael Clarke (38), Michael Hussey (54) and the tail-enders.

Clarke declared after lunch, giving his side plenty of time to claim 10 wickets in the knowledge that fast bowler James Pattinson would not be available due to a side strain.

The remaining front-line attack did their captain proud with four key wickets by the end of the 21st over to leave the Proteas reeling.

Graeme Smith (0) was caught at slip off Ben Hilfenhaus in the first over before spinner Nathan Lyon removed Hashim Amla (17) and Jacques Rudolph (3) thanks to smart catches by the close fielders.

When Siddle bowled Alviro Petersen (24) off the inside edge there was every prospect of the hosts wrapping up the match by close.

De Villiers and Du Plessis then survived for 29 overs - adding only 32 runs - as the No. 1 ranked Test nation lived to fight another day.