Perth, December 20:

A composed century from skipper Graeme Smith put South Africa within range of winning the first Test against Australia, although the tourists will need to complete the second highest run chase in history.

South Africa bowled Australia out for 319 on the stroke of lunch with top scorer Brad Haddin reaching 94 to set the Proteas 414 to win. The South Africans lost Neil McKenzie (10) early, but Smith’s century and a half century by Hashim Amla helped the Proteas finish on 227-3, needing 187 to win with seven wickets in hand.

Smith and Amla combined for 163 runs, moving along to 172-1 late in the final session as the Proteas appeared set to overtake the target with ease on the fifth day. But Brett Lee (1-40) and Mitchell Johnson (2- 56) changed the complexion of the match.