South Africa sweep to series win

Graeme Smith set the tone for South Africa's pursuit of 185 with a well-paced 75

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South Africa continued their remarkable tour Down Under by condemning Australia to a first series defeat on home soil in almost 16 years following a nine-wicket victory in the second Test at the MCG.

The Proteas - led by a fluent 75 from captain Graeme Smith - overhauled a modest victory target of 183 for the loss of only one wicket on the final day to take an unassailable 2-0 lead and seal a first Test series triumph in Australia.

Hashim Amla, a man not burdened by scars from previous defeats to the hosts, stroked the winning runs shortly after lunch as South Africa became the first team to beat Australia at home since West Indies did so in 1992-93.

That was also the last occasion Australia lost back-to-back Tests on their own turf.

The days of South Africa squandering winning positions against their illustrious opponents appear to be over, while Australia's 13-year reign at the top of world cricket could also soon come to an end.

Another loss in the final Test in Sydney, which would see Australia whitewashed for the first time in a series since 1984 against West Indies, would see Ricky Ponting's side knocked off the top of the International Cricket Council rankings.

South Africa were never under any pressure in their run-chase after resuming on 30 without loss this morning.

Needing a flurry of wickets early on the final day to have any hope of winning, Australia did not make a breakthrough until 16 minutes before lunch when Smith was trapped lbw by a Nathan Hauritz arm ball.

Smith had dominated a 121-run opening stand with Neil McKenzie and it was a shame for the Proteas skipper that he was not there at the end, having once again shown the kind of leadership that has seen him develop into one of the most impressive captains in the game.

He cashed in on Australia's attacking approach, striking seven of his 10 boundaries with cuts and deflections through a vacant third man region.

Smith – hitherto untroubled at the crease - was the first to go, despite opening partner Neil McKenzie looking far less certain.

However, McKenzie, who had made scores of two, 10 and zero in his three most recent innings - dug in to finish unbeaten on 59.

He survived strong lbw shouts from Brett Lee, who was bowling despite nursing an injured foot that will keep him out of the Sydney Test, and Mitchell Johnson.

McKenzie reached his half-century, made off 118 balls, with a boundary after being missed by another out-of-form opener Matthew Hayden at first slip off Johnson.