By Jamie Lillywhite

Steyn was the pick of the bowlers after another strong display of pace bowling

South Africa took a 1-0 lead in the three-match series after winning the second Test by an innings and 90 runs.

After the tourists declared on their overnight score of 494-7, India needed to score 418 to make them bat again.

Virender Sehwag hit two sixes in the first over when play began after a delay for damp, but soon fell for 17.

Sourav Ganguly (87) and Mahendra Dhoni (52) held out for 36 overs and shared 110 but paceman Dale Steyn (3-44) broke the stand and Makhaya Ntini took 3-91.

The considerable deficit did not appear to affect Sehwag, who hit the fastest Test trip century in the first Test, and seemed intent on another barrage when he pulled then clipped Steyn over fine-leg.

But in the eighth over, Ntini trapped him only half forward and he was lbw.

India badly needed a long innings from the obdurate Rahul Dravid, but he lasted only 40 balls before he was surprised by a lifting ball from Morne Morkel and could only fend to third slip, where AB de Villiers took a sharp catch.

As a captain this is the first time I feel I have a bowling attack that can be successful in the subcontinent Graeme Smith

Then in the next over Wasim Jaffer drove at a wide one from Jacques Kallis but got a thick edge to de Villiers, this time at second slip.

VVS Laxman struck four fluent early boundaries and was still there at lunch with Ganguly. but having reached 35, he got a faint edge through to the keeper.

Captains past and present, Ganguly and Dhoni, showed some useful resistance, but Ganguly, having recorded his 33rd Test fifty was denied a 16th century when he was given out flashing at a fullish delivery from Steyn.

It was unclear whether his disappointment was at umpire Tony Hill's decision, his own error so close to a century, his team's predicament or a combination of all three.

Sehwag launches the first of his two sixes but was soon back in the pavilion

Dhoni edged the hard-working Ntini low to Graeme Smith at first slip eight overs later and the end was in sight.

Last man Sree Santh had some fun in the closing stages after being dropped first ball by Makhaya Ntini.

The extrovert Santh charged down at Steyn and top-edged high into the late afternoon sunshine but Ntini mis-judged the swirling chance and the ball went through his hands, brushing his cap before falling to the ground.

Santh then swiped Steyn over long-on for six and clipped the next ball off his pads for four.

Ntini atoned for his dropped catch by rattling Santh's stumps to complete a convincing victory for the South Africans, leaving Irfan Pathan stranded on 43.

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It was India's first innings defeat since 2001 and South Africa's biggest win against them in India.

The win was Smith's 27th as captain of South Africa in his 56th Test in charge, equalling the record of the late Hansie Cronje, although he skippered three fewer matches.

South Africa are chasing an Asian treble after successes in Pakistan and Bangladesh in recent months.

Smith described the game as: "The perfect Test match for us."

He added: "As a captain this is the first time I feel I have a bowling attack that can be successful in the subcontinent.

"I think all the batters are comfortable in their roles and have performed well right through Pakistan until now.

"We've been really focused around this series and the things we want to achieve."

Counterpart Anil Kumble admitted: "It was difficult to come back after getting bowled out for 76."