Australia ended the third day of the third cricket Test on 102 for two, still trailing South Africa by 340 runs with eight wickets remaining in Cape Town.
Australia, who clinched the series after winning the first two Tests, were bowled out for 209 before South Africa made 651, their highest ever score against them.
Captain Ricky Ponting's poor match continued as he followed his first-innings duck with just 12, edging an expansive drive at a delivery outside off stump from Dale Steyn to be caught behind.
Opening batsman Phillip Hughes blazed his way to 32 before edging a catch off spinner Paul Harris to skipper Jacques Kallis at slip.
Fellow opener Simon Katich and Michael Hussey then survived an anxious last hour with Katich ending on 44 and Hussey on 13.
