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South Africa v Australia, 3rd Test, Cape Town, 5th day

Tempers, tenacity and a thrilling finish

The tightly-contested series between the two teams came down to the last day. Australia needed six wickets to win and immediately began attacking the nightwatchman Kyle Abbott
The tightly-contested series between the two teams came down to the last day. Australia needed six wickets to win and immediately began attacking the nightwatchman Kyle Abbott•Getty Images
AB de Villiers stonewalled too, eating up 326 minutes and 228 deliveries to make 43
AB de Villiers stonewalled too, eating up 326 minutes and 228 deliveries to make 43•Getty Images
The match wasn't without controversy on an ill-tempered morning. In the 74th over, the umpires called Michael Clarke over and spoke to him about his players throwing the ball on the bounce too often
The match wasn't without controversy on an ill-tempered morning. In the 74th over, the umpires called Michael Clarke over and spoke to him about his players throwing the ball on the bounce too often•Getty Images
JP Duminy survived more than 35 overs of non-stop onslaught from Australia's quicks
JP Duminy survived more than 35 overs of non-stop onslaught from Australia's quicks•Getty Images
Philander also survived a close call for a catch after a review, and tempers began to flare as the day grew closer to an end
Philander also survived a close call for a catch after a review, and tempers began to flare as the day grew closer to an end•Getty Images
The visitors celebrated their impressive series win emotionally, keeping intact their record of never having lost a Test series in South Africa
The visitors celebrated their impressive series win emotionally, keeping intact their record of never having lost a Test series in South Africa•Getty Images
But Abbott frustrated Australia for almost two hours
But Abbott frustrated Australia for almost two hours•Getty Images
James Pattinson made the first breakthrough of the day, bowling Abbott for an 89-ball 7 when the batsman shouldered arms
James Pattinson made the first breakthrough of the day, bowling Abbott for an 89-ball 7 when the batsman shouldered arms•Getty Images
Faf du Plessis and de Villiers had batted out 68 overs to save the Adelaide Test in 2012, but Ryan Harris prevented the pair from forging a similar stand in Cape Town, getting de Villiers caught behind in the 85th over
Faf du Plessis and de Villiers had batted out 68 overs to save the Adelaide Test in 2012, but Ryan Harris prevented the pair from forging a similar stand in Cape Town, getting de Villiers caught behind in the 85th over•Getty Images
But after safely negotiating 98 balls, he glanced his 99th to Nathan Lyon at leg slip and Australia were just two away
But after safely negotiating 98 balls, he glanced his 99th to Nathan Lyon at leg slip and Australia were just two away•Getty Images
Philander and Dale Steyn held on for 75 minutes, and as the shadows got longer Clarke had a bowl as he desperately sought a wicket
Philander and Dale Steyn held on for 75 minutes, and as the shadows got longer Clarke had a bowl as he desperately sought a wicket•Getty Images
Australia set attacking fields throughout, hoping for edges to the slip cordon
Australia set attacking fields throughout, hoping for edges to the slip cordon•Getty Images
When Steven Smith trapped du Plessis lbw with his first delivery of the day, with almost 40 overs remaining, Australia seemed to be heading towards a comfortable win
When Steven Smith trapped du Plessis lbw with his first delivery of the day, with almost 40 overs remaining, Australia seemed to be heading towards a comfortable win•Associated Press
However, Vernon Philander battled a painful blow to his hand after an accidental beamer from Pattinson, to score a fighting 56
However, Vernon Philander battled a painful blow to his hand after an accidental beamer from Pattinson, to score a fighting 56•Getty Images
South Africa were 27 balls away from pulling off a famous escape, but Harris bowled Steyn and Morne Morkel in the space of three deliveries to seal a tremendously hard-fought victory
South Africa were 27 balls away from pulling off a famous escape, but Harris bowled Steyn and Morne Morkel in the space of three deliveries to seal a tremendously hard-fought victory•Getty Images