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PERTH - South Africa captain Graeme Smith's breakthrough century on Saturday in the first test against Australia has given the Proteas a slim chance of claiming a memorable victory.
Two wickets from pacemen Mitchell Johnson and Brett Lee late on day four at the WACA have swung the game back slightly in Australia's favour and history is on their side.
Left-armer Johnson has 2-56 for the innings and 10 wickets in the match.
In pursuit of a victory target of 414 - which would be the second-highest successful run chase in test cricket history - South Africa were 227-3 at stumps and require another 187 in a day to win.
Jacques Kallis is 33 not out with AB De Villiers on 11. Both are in good touch after half-centuries in South Africa's first innings.
Battling an elbow complaint which required on-field treatment, Smith scored an inspirational 108 in almost four hours, including 13 fours, from 147 balls.
The skipper scored his first hundred in nine tests against Australia before Johnson trapped him lbw at 7pm local time, an hour before stumps on a rain-affected day.
Johnson, who took a career-best 8-61 in South Africa's first innings, had given Australia early joy after lunch when Neil McKenzie was caught behind for 10.
Smith fought bravely to keep his side in the contest, adding 153 for the second wicket with Hashim Amla.
Amla departed three overs later for a patient 53, caught behind off Lee who leapt with excitement at his first wicket for the match.
Brad Haddin was last man out for a hard-hitting 94 from 136 balls for Australia.
Haddin hit two sixes and a four in consecutive balls off the bowling of spinner Paul Harris (3-85) in the 97th over. The NSW wicketkeeper was out stumped two deliveries later as Australia were bowled out for 319 at lunch.
Australia's tail wagged vigorously, adding 157 runs for the last three wickets.
Haddin, a 10-test player who scored his maiden century last month in the second test against New Zealand in Adelaide, hit seven fours and four sixes after his 46 in the first innings.
Peter Siddle made four in a last-wicket stand of 41.
Australia had resumed on Saturday morning on 228-7.
Jason Krejza made 32 and Johnson contributed a handy 21.
Jacques Kallis (3-24 off 14 overs) continued his fine comeback after a modest effort in the first innings (0-65) by removing Krejza caught at point by a diving AB De Villiers, ending a 79-run partnership with Haddin.
- AAP
