Ntini dismissed Hayden for the second time in the match

South Africa and Australia both faced a nervous night as the third Test was left on a knife-edge going into the final day in Johannesburg.

South Africa set the tourists 292 to win then took two early wickets.

Damien Martyn (93no) and Mike Hussey (89) put on 165 to make Australia favourite to sweep the series 3-0.

But the home side struck back with four wickets for 39 runs, Makhaya Ntini taking three in all, to leave Australia 248-6 - 44 short - when bad light hit.

Martyn and Brett Lee, who went to stumps unbeaten on nine, will have to contend with the second new ball just two overs into day five.

"The history of the Wanderers shows that the ball does something early in the morning," said Mark Boucher, who earlier made 63.

"We'll have to make sure our bowlers are fired up, we don't have any runs to play with."

Hussey said: "It's the sort of pitch where you can get a couple of wickets in a row but we just need another good partnership now."

South Africa fast bowler Andre Nel left the field after two overs, struggling with a gastric illness that had seen him treated with a drip before play, but is expected to return.

Australia say is is unlikely Justin Langer will bat, having not taken the field since being concussed by a delivery from Ntini on Saturday.

Mike Kasprowicz only bowled two overs in South Africa's second innings because of a bad back but is expected to bat in the tail.

Nel could have dismissed Hussey lbw in the third over of Australia's reply had umpire Steve Bucknor agreed.

By then Ntini had dismissed Hayden for the second time in the match, though, squaring the left-hander up and gaining an edge to third slip.

Ricky Ponting hoisted Ntini for six but an expansive drive saw him gain a thin inside edge behind of Jacques Kallis' gentler pace.

Hussey was also lucky to survive a Shaun Pollock appeal on five.

And he was given not out by umpire Tony Hill on 19 when there was doubt over whether he edged Ntini and whether the ball carried to wicket-keeper Boucher.

After those early scares, though, Hussey and Martyn shared the biggest partnership of a match in which bowlers have dominated.

Martyn stood firm after coming in with Australia in trouble

Martyn scored heavily on the off side, passing 50 from 108 deliveries.

But with victory 94 runs away spinner Nicky Boje finally made the breakthrough with a delivery that broken back sharply out of the rough to have Hussey lbw.

Andrew Symonds was unable to curb his attacking instincts, lofting Boje for six, but it took the return of Kallis to the attack to see him nudge behind.

Adam Gilchrist was out first ball, edging a short ball from Ntini and Shane Warne fell in similar fashion.

Lee, fresh from his first innings 64, settled quickly with two boundaries but was grateful when the umpires offered the light 15 minutes early.

South Africa had begun the day looking to extend their lead past the 300 mark but were undone by Lee, who was bowling at tremendous pace.

Boucher, who rescued the hosts from 140-6 at one point, was caught behind attempting a pull shot, having added just eight to his overnight score.