Top 5 Tests played between South Africa and Australia

#2 2 wicket win for Australia at Johannesburg, 2011

South Africa were leading the two-match series when the teams arrived in Johannesburg for the final Test. Captain Graeme Smith won the toss and chose to bat first but could not drive home the advantage, South Africa only managing 266. Australia needed to score big in their 1st innings but they did not do much better.

After the openers Phil Hughes and Shane Watson had put on a stand of 174, they collapsed to be all out for 296. Dale Steyn wreaked havoc with a 4-wicket haul. South Africa fared better in the second innings and made 339, thanks to 105 from Hashim Amla. However, the star of the show for Australia was teenage paceman Pat Cummins, who returned figures of 6 for 79 on his Test debut.

Despite all that, it seemed unlikely that Australia would be able to make 310 to win in the 4th innings and the game looked over when Vernon Philander removed both openers in the space of 3 overs. Usman Khawaja (65) and Ricky Ponting (62) then repaired the innings and the game was back on track for the visitors.

However, Australia lost wickets regularly and it took 55 from Brad Haddin and 40 from Mitchell Johnson for them to come close to the target. In a tense finish, Australia needed 18 to win with only 2 wickets in hand and with two tailenders at the crease, South Africa must have been the favourites. However, Johnson and Cummins held their nerve to see it through against one of the best bowling attacks in the world.