Australia came within two days of victory in the first Test against South Africa when the Proteas batsmen collapsed on a threatening Gabba wicket on Sunday.
South Africa were 66 for seven at tea, with the scores level, after the home team’s bowlers took five wickets in the intermission session.
South Africa’s number five Khaya Zondo was 14 not out, with Kagiso Rabada on one, the pair went on a ‘mission impossible’ to put Australia’s full batsmen to chase.
The Proteas resumed three for two after lunch and added just two runs before Sarel Erwee went down for three with a lead over Pat Cummins that Cameron Green jumped high to catch at Gully.
Temba Bavuma and Zondo combined for a 42-run partnership but Nathan Lyon broke it by taking out Bavuma lbw for 29.
The Proteas quickly fell apart, losing 4-17 when Scott Boland dismissed Kyle Verreynne and all-rounder Marco Jansen for ducks on three balls.
Keshav Maharaj stayed a little longer before he was caught for 16 by Mitchell Starc, who earlier claimed his 300th wicket by bowling Rassie van der Dussen’s number three for a duck with a trademark yorker.
Earlier, Rabada (4-76) and Jansen (3-32) had done well to restrict Australia, with the latter denying Travis Head (92) a century after the home team resumed in the morning at 145 for five. .
Leader and all-rounder Cameron Green were cruising until Jansen took Green out for 18, with Erwee struggling from the first slip to catch an edge that hit the hands of Keshav Maharaj.
Jansen then had Head catch the leg side eight runs short of his century before Lungi Ngidi and Rabada cleaned up the Australian tail.
???? RESULT | AUSTRALIA WINS BY 6 WICKETS
A spirited effort on the ball in the second innings, led by Kagiso Rabada’s 4/13, however there weren’t enough runs on the board as the hosts took a 1-0 series lead.#SAvBAN #be a part of it pic.twitter.com/2XJSOCRTIl
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) December 18, 2022
