Cape Town, March 18:

Debutant Stuart Clark enabled Australia to complete a seven-wicket win on the third day of the first Test against South Africa at Newlands on Saturday.

Clark took 4/34 as South Africa were bowled out for 197 in their second innings. Australian opening batsmen Justin Langer and Matthew Hayden put on 71 but fast bowler Makhaya Ntini took three wickets in five balls before Australia reached the victory target of 95.

Clark finished with match figures of nine for 89. He took five for 55 in the first innings.

Clark struck two key blows on Saturday morning by dismissing overnight batsmen Jacques Kallis and Ashwell Prince after South Africa resumed at 70/3. He came back in mid-afternoon to take two more wickets.

Leg-spinner Shane Warne took the final wicket when last man Ntini holed out to long-off.

For South Africa, it was a disappointing batting display. Jacques Rudolph made South Africa’s top score of the match when he made 41 before he was bowled by Warne.

Rudolph and Andrew Hall put on 50 for the seventh wicket, the only half-century stand of the match by South Africa. Hall remained unbeaten on 34.

Clark struck with the third ball of the day’s second over when Kallis, on 36, attempted a forcing shot off the back foot and Adam Gilchrist leapt high and to his right to take an excellent catch. Rudolph’s dismissal half an hour after lunch signalled a rapid end to South Africa’s resistance.