South Africa beat Australia by 177 runs in first Test

PERTH: South Africa won the first Test against Australia by 177 runs at the WACA Ground on Monday.

Set an unlikely victory target of 539, the home side were bowled out for 361 on the final day.

Young paceman Kagiso Rabada led the way for the Proteas with 5-92.

South Africa needed six wickets and Australia an unlikely 370 runs to win the first Test at the WACA at stumps on day four.

Australia closed the day on 4-169 having lost two wickets in each of the last two sessions to put the South Africans on the brink of victory.

Usman Khawaja (58 not out) put up the best resistance to the Proteas’ charge accompanied by Mitch Marsh (15 not out).

A fiery spell from fast bowler Kagiso Rabada did the bulk of the damage. Bowling in the high 140s and swinging the ball both ways, the quick cleaned up Shaun Marsh, Steve Smith and Adam Voges, finishing the day with figures of 3-49.

Earlier in the morning, the Proteas continued where they left off on day three, piling on runs to take the game further out of Australia’s reach.

The declaration did not come until after lunch, though their total had already passed 500 by that stage for the loss of seven wickets, with Philander (73) and Quinton de Kock (64) posting half-centuries.