AUSTRALIA SALVAGED a consolation win against South Africa after dismissing the tourists with only 10 balls remaining on the final day to clinch a 103-run victory in the third Test in Sydney.

Chasing an unlikely 376 to win, the tourists seemed set for a heavy defeat until a battling, 50-run ninth-wicket stand between Dale Steyn and Makhaya Ntini lifted the side at the SCG.

Steyn's dismissal then saw the arrival of injured captain Graeme Smith at the crease to add another dramatic turn to the match.

The courageous Smith, who came in at 11 with a broken left hand and troublesome elbow, and Ntini (28) held Australia up for 29 minutes and appeared likely to escape with a draw against the odds.

But Mitchell Johnson bowled Smith at 5.34pm local time as the Proteas were finally dismissed for 272.

South Africa, who had already won the series, entered the final day needing a further 314 runs to pull off a clean sweep, having progressed to 62 for one at stumps on day four.

But any hope of a victory disappeared when the tourists lost Neil McKenzie (27), Jacques Kallis (four) and Hashim Amla (59) in the opening session.

Local favourite Doug Bollinger gave the hosts the perfect start by removing McKenzie - caught in the gully by Michael Hussey - in just the fifth over of the day.

Fellow debutant Andrew McDonald was next to strike, removing the dangerous Kallis with a spectacular return catch.

South Africa took the series 2-1 but Australia remain top of the ICC Test rankings.