Johnson takes seven to hit Proteas

A seven-wicket haul from Australia left-armer Mitchell Johnson turned the second day of the first Test against South Africa on its head in a topsy-turvy final session at the WACA.

The tourists were cruising after tea on 234 for three in response to Australia’s 375, with half-centurions Jacques Kallis (63) and AB de Villiers looking in control.

But the loss of De Villiers, caught behind by Brad Haddin off Johnson for 63 in the last half-hour, set in motion a headlong collapse, with Johnson claiming 5-2 in 21 balls. The Proteas had slumped to 243 for eight at stumps.

Kallis followed in Johnson's next over before South Africa debutant JP Duminy also departed, caught by Haddin via a glove.

Mitchell Johnson is already assured of career-best innings figures with his seven wickets

Morne Morkel became the next of Johnson's victims in the penultimate over of the day. The Queenslander also claimed Paul Harris without scoring for good measure, both batsmen caught close in by Jason Krejza.

Johnson finished the day with 7-42, his best Test figures and his second five-wicket haul after taking 5-38 against New Zealand last month.

The late drama was symptomatic of a match where wickets have fallen in clusters over the first two days, despite the batsmen appearing in control in between.

Proteas opener Neil McKenzie became Johnson's first scalp with a dreadful shot that he skied directly to Krejza.

South Africa skipper Graeme Smith and Hashim Amla added 90 before Krejza produced a stunning ball to remove Amla. Brought back on against the breeze once it blew up, the off-spinner flighted a delivery to Amla which turned and bowled him through the gate as he attempted to drive.

Johnson struggled with his line and length during his early spells, but he readjusted, testing and probing South Africa's batsmen by mixing up his pace.

Smith played on to the left-armer half an hour before tea, but Kallis and de Villiers weathered the Australia pressure, taking South Africa and wresting the momentum back as they put on 100 off 191 balls.

However, having established a start, de Villiers fell to Johnson, sparking the late collapse.