Nathan Lyon finally broke through for a wicket, Mitch Starc produced his customary pace and menace and Josh Hazlewood continued his dominance over Hashim Amla.

Between them they put Australia in a commanding position at stumps on day three of the third Test at the Adelaide Oval.

South Africa had  limped to 6-194, a second-innings lead of 70, with opener Stephen Cook battling to an unbeaten 81 alongside wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock, who was yet to get off the mark.

A string of late wickets and poor discipline from South Africa’s batsman  swung the third Test sharply in Australia’s favour.

Lyon, who had bowled 660 deliveries without taking a first-class wicket, sprung to life with a reminder about why he is Australia’s most prolific offspinner, claiming three key wickets in the night session to tighten Australia’s grip on the match.

His 3/48 included the dismissals of Temba Bavuma (21) and nightwatchman Kyle Abbott (0) in his final two overs of the day.

Australian captain Steve Smith backtracks from slip to take a catch off Temba Bavuma.

The late wickets left Australia, who can access the second new ball after another 11 overs, well placed to snap a five-Test losing streak and avoid their first whitewash in a home Test series since federation.

“This Test match we’ve bowled a lot better,” Lyon said. “We want to come out and prove to Australia that cricket is in good hands.”

You know what they say – top of off #AUSvSA https://t.co/OdIxK56Nfn

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) November 26, 2016

Australia had been dismissed early in the day for 383, building a first-innings lead of 124, and the Proteas batted solidly in the second session to reduce most of the deficit.

Starc had got things off to a rollicking start for Australia, dismissing Proteas opener Dean Elgar for a duck in the first over thanks to a magnificent catch in the slips by Steve Smith.

But Amla joined Cook at the crease and the pair immediately set about slowing the game down, in a bid to batten down the hatches.

One crucial chance came Australia’s way when Starc got the edge off Amla’s cover drive, only for the Matt Renshaw to thrust out a late left hand at first slip and drop the chance when the batsmen was on 13.

Debate would rage over who should have taken responsibility for the catch, with keeper Matthew Wade closer to the ball but rooted to the spot.

Matt Renshaw makes a diving attempt to stop a boundary,

Former Test great Ian Healy certainly felt Wade, drafted into the Test side to replace Peter Nevill, was at fault.

“Two men slow to go … both thought it was the other’s (catch),” Healy said in commentary for the Nine Network.

“I think it’s keeper’s (catch). A little step and (he could have gone for it).
“This is a new cordon. Matthew Renshaw has to learn, maybe, when Matthew Wade is going to go.

“Matthew Wade’s footwork wasn’t excellent. Renshaw wasn’t ready either.”

Pretty good chat from Matty Wade, but @KP24's zinger is even better! #AUSvSA https://t.co/H3OiDAaiRj

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) November 26, 2016

But there would be no half-ton for Amla, who again fell for the fifth time to a Hazlewood delivery, edging to the keeper for 45 and bringing the 81-run partnership to an end.

A silly shot from JP Duminy resulted in him being bowled by Lyon for 26, before the highly-desired wicket of du Plessis came when Peter Handscomb take an outstanding, diving catch at gully off Starc’s bowling.

Faf du Plessis was booed after being dismissed.

Earlier in the day, Usman Khawaja added just seven runs to his overnight score before he was caught plumb in front by Vernon Philander (2-100) for 145, having batted across three days of play.

Starc (53) made a crucial half-ton to facilitate a hefty wag of the tail before he offered a return catch to Kagiso Rabada (3-84), while Lyon (13) was caught in the slips for Tabraiz Shamsi’s first Test wicket.

Jackson Bird (6) was the last to fall, caught by du Plessis for Rabada’s third wicket.