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And Australia coach John Buchanan believes the tourists still could win if they could make an early breakthrough on Monday.

At stumps on Sunday's third day, South Africa were 264 for four, needing 71 more runs for victory, to avoid a second successive series whitewash at the hands of Steve Waugh's men.

But Buchanan said the successful restriction of South Africa's scoring rate towards the end of the day gave the tourists enough runs to play with.

The hosts were cruising at 216 for one when part time off-break bowler Mark Waugh had Graeme Smith and Gibbs caught off rash shots in consecutive overs.

Leg-spinner Warne had Neil McKenzie caught at midwicket five overs later and South Africa seemed in danger of squandering the solid start.

But Jacques Kallis and Ashwell Prince added an unbroken 32 for the fifth wicket, surviving three overs of the new ball before the close.

"It brings the quick bowlers into play with the new ball and Shane Warne into play," Buchanan said.

"Jacques Kallis is the critical wicket. If we can expose the other batsmen we're in with a big chance."

Careless

Gibbs described his sixth career century as the most satisfying innings of his career, "because it was against the best bowling attack in the world".