Australia vs South Africa, 1st Test at Perth, Nov 03 2016 - Match Result

3.33pm After a day and half of the first session on the second morning, it looked like Australia would run away with the match. Then, Dale Steyn went down to injury and everything turned around rather quickly. Rabada, Philander and Maharaj helped bowl Australia out and restrict their lead to just two. A fantastic batting effort saw them ensure they couldn't lose as Faf declared with a lead of 538. After grinding away, chipping away, toiling away with one fast bowler short, South Africa found enough. Peter Nevill and Usman Khawaja were excellent in the second innings, but their rearguard effort was nowhere near enough. This surely will go down as one of South Africa's best test wins, considering the position they were in early on the second day. Australia will have to find a way to put this loss behind them. South Africa are a spirited side, but Australia too showed plenty of fight on the final day. Hobart will be the venue for the next Test. Australia definitely can, but will they level the series going into the much-awaited day-night Test in Adelaide?

Presentation time.

Kagiso Rabada is the Man of the Match: "I'm very proud of how the team pulled it together. We lost Dale, he's a key aspect of the game. All the bowlers have a job to do, when Dale is gone, it means we have to do extra. You hear a lot of stories where quick bowlers do well here (at the WACA). Similar to the Wanderers back home. Still a bit flat though. Australia also got he ball to reverse. We executed really well. I can confidently say there will not be too much bowling over the next few days, but I'll be ready for Hobart if I get chosen."

Steven Smith: "After the first day, we were in a reasonable position. We weren't able to capitalise and claw out way back. I've thought a lot about it (the collapse). Credit to Duminy and Elgar, their partnership took it away. We've had a few collapses of late in recent Test cricket, something we need to improve on. We try and let go of this performance. Have to play better cricket. SA played some great cricket throughout the Test."

Faf du Plessis: "It's never easy with two seamers. KG was phenomenal, to run in for 30 overs. Disappointed with the way we played on the first day, we wanted to come back on the second day. Since that day 1, we were unbelievable. Not much happening, but everyone put their hand up. Maharaj had a job today, to tie up one end. He was awesome, bowled a beautiful line and length, ensured the scoreboard didn't tick too quickly."

Maharaj.

Stuart: "Could not have asked for anything more from Nevill - this is exactly the kind of innings our 1-6 needed to play. Test cricket is so often about survival. "

Rajat: "Great effort from Nevill - has played 200 balls in this match which is more than any other Aussie batter. "

Philander comes on.

Philander limbering up

Raju: "Now you know why Faf delayed the declaration. Had he set a target of even 420, which is a record chase, Australia is only 65 short now. 3 bowlers on a true wicket is a massive challenge to maneuver. "

Anand: "Respect to Australia for the fight back. They are still holding on! The only thing they did not have is one big partnership. If they had 4 wickets in hand, it is a game on! Respect aussies!"

Maharaj returns.