Aided by a fighting century by skipper Graeme Smith South Africa require another 187 runs with 7 wickets remaining to beat Australia as the first test enters the final day at Western Australia Cricket Association Ground, Perth here today.

Australian opener Mathew Hayden caught and bowled by Dale Styen -- Pic curtesy The Age

Chasing a target of an imposing 414 runs to win on the fourth innings of a Test match, South Africa lost the wicket of Neil McKenzie with only 19 runs on the board. However the second wicket pair of Hashim Amla and skipper Smith steadied the inning with a fine 153 run stand that gave the visitors of a ray of hope of pulling off the game. Then the Australian pace combination of Mitchell Johnson and Brett Lee accounted for the wickets of Smith 108 and Amla 53 in quick succession. Smith in his stay at the crease hit a thirteen fours while Amla hit six.

At the end of the day evergreen Jacques Kallis was not out 33 along with A.B. de Villiers not out on 11 adding another 48 runs for the fourth wicket.

Early in the day , Australian wicket keeper Brad Haddin hit a sparkling knock of 94 that included seven fours and four sixes to carry the Australian tail to give their tentative overnight total of 228 for 7 with himself not out on 39 some respectability to be all out for 319.