Smith only made one run in South Africa's innings

Australia, chasing 247 to win the day-night match in Durban, won with five balls to spare to level the five-match series at 2-2.

"I thought they were the team that were choking, if that's the word, at the back end (of the match)," said Smith.

"He said that, did he?", said Ponting. "It'll give us ammunition for Sunday."

Defeat was a bitter pill to swallow for South Africa especially after they had gone 2-0 up in the series.

They will now have to raise their game to beat Australia in the decider in Johannesburg on Sunday.

We were lucky to get across the finish line, we played some ordinary shots Ricky Ponting

To add to their worries, all-rounder Shaun Pollock left the field with a back strain after bowling only five overs.

"It is a concern, it was a huge loss," Smith said. "It meant myself and (Justin) Kemp had to bowl when we didn't want to."

Match report

Australia took 19 runs off Smith's off-spinners in the 38th over.

Ponting, however, was less than pleased with his batsmen.

"To be one for 87 and then four for 101 is not good enough," he said. "We were lucky to get across the finish line, we played some ordinary shots.

"Our decision making needs to be better if we want to win on Sunday."