Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

South Africa wins test series, Ponting plays his last innings

Updated at 10:08 pm on 3 December 2012

The South African cricketers have beaten Australia by 309 runs in the third test in Perth, clinching the series 1-0.

Chasing an unlikely record 632 for victory at the WACA Ground, Australia were all out for 322.

With the 7th, 8th and 9th wickets falling within the space of 10 overs, it looked like the home side would fail to reach even 300 runs.

But the tail-end batsmen, Mitchell Starc and Jamie Lyon, rallied and put on an unlikely 87-run partnership for the 10th wicket.

Starc's 63-not out was also the highest score of the innings.

Beginning the day on 40 without loss, the hosts were reeling at lunch on 110 for three.

The match also marked 37-year-old Ricky Ponting's final test innings, and he was dismissed for eight - caught slashing outside off stump.

Ponting was given a guard of honour when he made his way to the crease - and once he was dismissed, most of South Africa's players ran over to him to shake his hand.

Copyright © 2012, Radio New Zealand