Australia moved to the brink of victory in Durban after declaring on 314 for six and reducing South Africa to 102 for four at stumps on day four. The hosts need 319 more runs on the final day to chase 421, while Australia require six wickets to complete a dominant opening-Test win.
Matt Renshaw drove Australia’s rapid second-innings scoring with 82, adding to his first-innings 190. Nic Maddinson struck 48 from 38 balls and Pat Cummins supplied a 12-ball 32 that included four sixes before the declaration after 58 overs. Beau Webster remained unbeaten on 39.
Josh Hazlewood dismissed Ryan Rickelton for two before trapping David Bedingham lbw for 46. Bedingham had produced several fluent strokes but became the second South African batter to fall after reaching a substantial score.
Renshaw completed an extraordinary day by taking his first Test wicket. His drifting off-break found the inside edge of captain Temba Bavuma, who was caught at short leg for one. Cummins later removed Tristan Stubbs for one, edging a fuller delivery to Alex Carey.
Aiden Markram resisted through the closing overs and finished unbeaten on 45, with Wiaan Mulder on five. Markram also received treatment for his right shoulder during the innings. Australia’s Steve Smith was absent from the field after being struck on the helmet by Anrich Nortje while batting earlier in the day; Smith continued his innings before making 27 and being dismissed.