South Africa’s first innings is finally over after Australia reduced the world No.1 Test side to 9-450 late on day three of the first Test at the Gabba.
A man down after batsman JP Duminy was injured in a freak training mishap on Friday, the Proteas’ first dig was set up by champion allrounder Jacques Kallis (147) and Hashim Amla (104).
The pair put on 165 for the third wicket – their 11th century stand together, making them the South African pair with the highest Test partnership aggregate (3636 runs).
Kallis resumed on 84 not out on Sunday and reached his 44th Test ton – the second highest tally behind only Sachin Tendulkar (51) – while also marking the highest score by a South African at the Gabba, surpassing Eddie Barlow’s 114.
The 37-year-old stroked 14 fours and a six before a diving Rob Quiney catch at gully off James Pattinson (3-93 off 34 overs) ended the six-hour knock, and a 90-run fourth wicket stand with AB de Villiers (40).
Earlier, world No.2 batsman Amla became the seventh South African to pass 5,000 Test runs on his way to his 17th Test ton – and third in as many Tests against Australia.
Amla overtook Australian captain Michael Clarke (782) to become Test cricket’s highest run-scorer of 2012 with 791.
After enduring 54 luckless overs trying to break the Amla-Kallis stand, Australia finally struck back with the ball on Sunday as South Africa tried to push the run rate after the day two washout.
South Africa resumed after tea on 7-434.
Test debutant Rory Kleinveldt was picked for his fast bowling but relished his first bat as he took to off-spinner Nathan Lyon (2-136 off 37 overs).
In one entertaining over, Kleinveldt thrashed the South Australian for consecutive sixes before almost offering a return catch to the long suffering Lyon.
There was more pain for Lyon – opener Ed Cowan badly judged a skied Kleinveldt slog and dropped him on 16.
World No.1 Test bowler Dale Steyn called for medical treatment after being struck on the right shoulder by Ben Hilfenhaus (2-73).
He was soon caught behind off the Tasmanian for 15 while Kleinveldt remained not out 17.
Luckless quick Peter Siddle finally finished with 2-111 off 36 overs after dropping a caught and bowled chance off Amla on 74 and having Kallis caught off a no ball on 43 on Friday.