The batting of Graeme Smith was a revelation

The left-handed opener had put on 84 with Herschelle Gibbs in a rare solid opening stand for the home side.

But Gibbs, who was looking strong against the seamers, failed to convince against Warne - and his uncertainty against the wrist-spinner eventually led to his downfall.

Playing half forward to one that only offered to turn away from him, the right-hander was ajudged to be out caught bat-pad at silly point for 39.

Kirsten used his feet to thump Warne high over mid-on for four to move to 48 in the 36th over of the innings and moved to his 50 not long afterwards.

Just before lunch, the home side's number three Graeme Smith, having hit one immaculate four through the leg-side off Jason Gillespie, survived a huge shout for lbw against Warne.

But straight after the interval the 21-year-old hit Warne for 11 in one over, and then brought up his 50 by clubbing a Mark Waugh full toss past mid-on for four.

Brett Lee had the crucial wicket of Kirsten

Kirsten was eventually beaten for pace by Lee bowling round the wicket and given out lbw after adding 99 for the second wicket with Smith.

Jacques Kallis came in and looked in awesome touch from the off.

Another good partnership developed for South Africa, but again - just when the home side looked poised to dominate the match - Warne struck.

Smith was the man to go this time - he was ruled to have just gloved a ball from Warne through to Adam Gilchrist.

His effort of 68 under enprmous pressure was superb. And it was matched by Kallis - Warne had to produce a perfect slider before he was dismissed lbw.

By then Kallis had struck 73 off just 96 balls.

South Africa: Herschelle Gibbs, Gary Kirsten, Ashwell Prince, Jacques Kallis, Graeme Smith, Neil McKenzie, Mark Boucher (captain), Andrew Hall, Makhaya Ntini, Paul Adams, Dewald Pretorius.

Australia: Steve Waugh (captain), Matthew Hayden, Justin Langer, Ricky Ponting, Mark Waugh, Damien Martyn, Adam Gilchrist, Shane Warne, Brett Lee, Jason Gillespie, Glenn McGrath.