After drama in Perth, Boxing Day Test continued adding new twists in Thunder Down Under on Saturday which could be certainly called Australian, as hosts ripped the South African batting reducing them 198/7 at the stumps on day two.
As Brett Lee showed little to silence his critics it was unlikely Peter Siddle who had the best over tourists, driving Australia to position of edge with his 3 for 24 which include the priced wicket of South African captain Graeme Smith. 
South Africa will need some gutsy performances from its tail to give themselves any realistic chance of comeback in the Test match.
Neil McKenzie’s poor run in Australia continued as he was dismissed by Siddle for a duck and was followed by Hashim Amla, who looked in supreme touch for his 26 before being brilliantly caught in covers by Andrew Symonds.
South Africa fought back, but their hopes were greatly dented when Nathan Hauritz’s off-spin got Kallis just before tea.
Proteas begun the day with a slight edge, but Australian tail once again stretched them with a mature 88 by Michael Clarke and shifted momentum towards Australia.
Resuming the day on 6-280, Australia, led my Clarke, took attack on Proteas, who apart from Dale Steyn, failed to dig through the Aussie lower order. Steyn took three wickets in morning, finishing 5-87- his 10th haul of five wickets or more in an innings. But last four wickets added invaluable 117 runs to the Australian total.
After taking three-and -half hours for his 36 on Friday, Clarke took just another 13 delivers to complete his fifty.
It was some poor decision making which gave Australia the all important lead as Proteas went on attacking the tail and allowing Clarke a relatively free ride in between.
Lee made some impression on speed gun as he broke 150km/h mark after ages, but failed on being effective and leaked 27 runs in opening four overs.
After another wicket less first spell by Lee, Ponting turned to most potent weapon Mitchell Johnson and was immediately rewarded with the wicket of Amla.
It was a different AB de Villiers than the one world saw in Perth. He spent 24 balls on zero and returned to dressing room immediately after Smith on 7 when he was beaten by pace of Siddle. South Africa were 5/132 and suddenly in a state of avoiding follow-on.
Veteran wicket keeper Mark Boucher gave Hauritz his second wicket, as he tried an attempted sweep shot and Mike Hussey accepted the gesture with both hands.
With South Africa in survival mode and JP Duminy (34) the only specialist batter on the crease, it will take another magical performance from Proteas to have any chance of wrapping the series in Melbourne.
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