Boeta Dippenaar and Mark Boucher both scored half-centuries to lead South Africa to a five-wicket win over Australia in a roller-coaster one-day international at the Gabba on Sunday.
Dippenaar made a patient 74 off 115 balls while Boucher blazed an unbeaten 63 off 62 deliveries to steer the Proteas to victory with seven balls to spare.
The South Africans looked to be in trouble when they slumped to 162-5 in the 41st over, chasing 229 to win.
But Boucher, who struck six fours and six, and Justin Kemp (29 not out) steadied the ship with an unbroken stand of 71 to seal victory.
The Proteas had seemed on course for an easier victory when they reduced Australia to 61-7 in the 18th over, with man of the match Shaun Pollock capturing three wickets, including Adam Gilchrist from the first ball of the match.
But Mike Hussey and Brett Lee rescued the innings with a 123-run partnership, setting a record for the highest seventh wicket stand in a one-day international by Australia.
Hussey top-scored with 73 off 124 balls, including five boundaries, while Lee chipped in with 57 off 128 deliveries.
Australia made a disastrous start with Gilchrist and his fellow opener Simon Katich both making ducks. Ricky Ponting chipped in with 33 but the Proteas stayed in control by dismissing Damien Martyn (12), Andrew Symonds (9) and Michael Clarke (8) cheaply.
Hussey and Lee were both aided by poor South Africa fielding but when they fell in quick succession, the visitors looked to have regained the initiative.
Australia looked to be in with a chance of winning when they removed Graeme Smith (12), Jacques Kallis (no score), Herschelle Gibbs (16) and Ashwell Prince (19) before Dippenaar and Boucher swung the match back in South Africa's favour.
Scorecard:
Australia innings
AC Gilchrist b Pollock 0
SM Katich c Smith b Pollock 0
RT Ponting c & b Zondeki 33
DR Martyn b Pollock 12
A Symonds c Boucher b Hall 9
MJ Clarke c Boucher b Hall 8
MEK Hussey b Kruger 73
B Lee run out (Pollock/Boucher) 57
NW Bracken not out 7
SR Clark b Hall 15
GD McGrath run out (Boucher/Hall) 0
Extras (b 3, lb 3, w 4, nb 4) 14
Total (all out, 49.5 overs) 228
FoW: 1-0 (Gilchrist, 0.1 ov), 2-4 (Katich, 2.4 ov), 3-29 (Martyn, 8.1 ov), 4-60 (Ponting, 14.1 ov), 5-64 (Symonds, 15.4 ov), 6-71 (Clarke, 17.6 ov), 7-194 (Hussey, 44.5 ov), 8-207 (Lee, 47.4 ov), 9-228 (Clark, 49.4 ov), 10-228 (McGrath, 49.5 ov).
Bowling
Pollock 10-2-30-3
Kruger 9-1-43-1 (4nb, 2w)
Hall 9.5-1-43-3 (1w)
Zondeki 10-2-64-1
Kallis 6-0-23-0
Smith 5-0-19-0
South Africa innings
GC Smith c Katich b McGrath 12
HH Dippenaar run out (Clark) 74
JH Kallis run out (Symonds) 0
HH Gibbs c Martyn b Bracken 16
AG Prince c Hussey b McGrath 19
MV Boucher not out 63
JM Kemp not out 29
Extras (b 4, lb 9, w 5) 18
Total (5 wickets, 48.5 overs) 231
DNB: SM Pollock, AJ Hall, M Zondeki, GJP Kruger.
FoW: 1-27 (Smith, 7.5 ov), 2-27 (Kallis, 8.3 ov), 3-55 (Gibbs, 14.4 ov), 4-125 (Prince, 31.6 ov), 5-162 (Dippenaar, 40.5 ov).
Bowling
Lee 10-1-47-0 (3w)
McGrath 9-0-35-2
Bracken 8.5-1-37-1
Clark 10-0-41-0 (2w)
Hopes 8-0-44-0
Symonds 3-0-14-0
Australia full substitute: JR Hopes replaced DR Martyn in the 18th over of South Africa innings.
South Africa full substitute: J Botha (unused).
