Cricket: South Africans in unenviable position on final day at Adelaide

The ability of South Africa's middle order batsmen to conquer a powerful Australian attack and a wearing pitch will determine the outcome of the first Test between the two countries at Adelaide Oval today.

After opener Matthew Hayden (131) confirmed the home team's already strong position with his fifth Test century, the Australian innings was declared closed by Steve Waugh at 309-7, late in the afternoon on the fourth day of play yesterday.

The Proteas were immediately in trouble.

The tourists faced 12 overs at the end of the day and lost both openers Herschelle Gibbs (9) and Gary Kirsten (7) to catches at the wicket.

They were 17-2 in their second innings by the close of the day's play last evening (NZT). It leaves them needing another 358 runs for an unlikely victory later today, or to survive a further 90 overs, to avert the prospect of going down 1-nil in the series.

The outcome of the test will be determined by whether South Africa can come to grips with a surface offering increasing turn and increasing variability in bounce.

Shane Warne will be rubbing his fingers in glee at the prospects for his legspin bowling.

The tourists will need to start strongly - and confidently - this afternoon. This Australian side are like sharks who smell blood in the water, if they sense a weakness or faltering in their opponents.

The fifth and last day's play commences at 1.30 pm (NZT) today.