Cricket: Johnson destroys Proteas

Mitchell Johnson dismissed openers Alviro Petersen and Smith in his fiery opening spell.

A career-best performance from Mitchell Johnson fired Australia to a 281-run victory over South Africa in the opening clash of the three-test series at Centurion.

South Africa were rolled for 200 as Johnson drew blood, rattled skulls and snatched five wickets on Saturday, his match figures of 12-127 breaking all manner of records.

It was the 32-year-old's best test figures, the best test figures at Centurion and the best effort by an Australian against South Africa since Clarrie Grimmett took 13 wickets in 1936.

Johnson, continuing the frightening form that netted figures of 7-68 in the first innings, was simply irrepressible - and more often than not unplayable.

"There's no doubt he was the difference in this game. He bowled superb spells," said dejected Proteas captain Graeme Smith. "We were outplayed from the word go. It hasn't happened in a very long time."

It started with Johnson's first over after Michael Clarke declared 3.2 overs into day four at 290-4, setting the hosts a target of 482 and an impossible challenge of lasting six sessions on a bouncy wicket.

Johnson dismissed openers Alviro Petersen and Smith in his fiery opening spell and, as in the first innings, needed just two balls to end Smith's knock, giving the veteran plenty of time in the pavilion to ponder his decision to send Australia in.

- AAP