Gulidjan fast bowler Scott Boland took two wickets in yet another dominant display by Australia's bowlers, who wrapped up the Boxing Day Test inside four days.
The win saw the Australians take an unassailable 2-0 series lead after thrashing South Africa by an innings and 182 runs.
Boland was brought into the attack early in the morning session after Mitchell Starc (1-62) dismissed opener Sarel Erwee (21) leg before wicket on review.
Boland continued his knack of picking up early-spell wickets, dismissing South African number three Theunis de Bruyn (28) in his fourth over of the day with a delivery that surprised de Bruyn with bounce, Steve Smith completing the dismissal with a sharp catch at second slip.
After Travis Head ran out Khaya Zondo (1) soon after, the Proteas were left reeling at 4-65 although a steady partnership eventuated between Temba Bavuma and Kyle Verreynne, steadying the South African innings.
Scott Boland is into the wickets! It's de Bruyn who edges to Smith in the slips #AUSvSA pic.twitter.com/VA0V9TwYJL
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) December 29, 2022
However Boland struck again, ending the the 63-run partnership after trapping South African wicketkeeper/batter Kyle Verreynne (33) plumb L.B.W., with a length ball that seamed back sharply from outside off stump.
Boland's second wicket left the Proteas innings in disarray at 5-128, triggering yet another lower-order batting collapse with Australia's spinners and some fielding brilliance from Mitchell Starc seeing the last five South African wickets falling for just 60 runs.
Nathan Lyon cleaned up the South African tail, dismissed first innings top scorer Marco Jansen (5), innings top scorer top scorer Temba Bavuma (65) and quick Kagiso Rabada (3) in quick succession, with Steve Smith clean bowling number 11 Lungi Ngidi (19) to see the tourists eventually bowled out for 204 inside 69 overs.
Boland ended the innings with figures of 2-49 from 15 overs, with Nathan Lyon (3-58) the pick of the Australian bowlers.
The Proteas started the day trailing Australia by a mammoth 371 runs largely thanks to a double century from David Warner (200) and maiden test century from wicketkeeper/batter Alex Carey (111), which saw the Australian's declare posting an imposing 8d-575.
Warner was awarded the Mullagh Medal after his Player of the Match Performance.
The award is named in recognition of Indigenous Australian cricketer Johnny Mullagh, who lead the first organised group of Australian sportspeople to travel overseas when he lead a team of Indigenous cricketers on a tour of England in 1868.
Australia will now prepare for the final test of the series in Sydney starting 4 January.
The home side will be without the services of Mitchell Starc and Cameron Green, who have both been ruled out after sustaining finger injuries in the second test.
Their replacements are yet to be named.
