AUSTRALIA won one of the great Test matches here yesterday, defeating a devastated South Africa by two wickets to take a Winning 2-0 lead in the three Test series. It was South Africa's first defeat in a home series since their re admission five years ago.

There was an awful second of silence in the Australian dressing room, and even the swaying, singing, chanting crowd fell still and noiseless, as Ian Healy swung a legside delivery from Hansie Cronje, the South Africa captain, over deep backward square leg for six to win the match. Healy's leg stump is no place to bowl, but by that time all logic had disappeared.

Glenn McGrath, the padded up last man, his right hand covering his face like a mask, half watched through his fingers before joining his team mates in that special ecstasy that comes only when those deepest, tummy tumbling anxieties have been banished.

Australia, chasing 270 for victory, resumed on 154 for three yesterday morning, and when they reached 258 for 5, with South Africa's best bowlers in gasping retirement and with the imperious Waugh on 116, they appeared to have buried their bogey of losing low scoring matches. Then they faltered, almost fatally, losing three wickets in as many overs.

With 12 needed Waugh's middle stump was left lolling drunkenly by a nip backer from Jacques Kallis. In the following over, with the score of 258, Michael Bevan was seventh out, caught by Daryll Cullinan in the slips off Cronje.

Then Healy hit a boundary and Shane Warne a dangerous, mistimed three over mid off 268 for 8.

With just five runs needed the Australian dressing room was beginning to settle down again when Warne was lbw to Kalfis, who, having taken just one Test wicket before this match, was now threatening to bowl his side to a famous victory.

Jason Gillespie joined Healy for what promised to be a nervy few overs, but then, suddenly, Healy put these teased South Africans out of their misery with his exuberant six. It was Australia's 10th win in as many matches on thin tour.

The hero of the day, however was Waugh, who played the controlled, mean spirited, almost mechanical innings we have come to expect from his twin brother, Steve. Mark is normally a philanthropic millionaire of a batsman while Steve is a fivers under the mattress man.

This was Mark's 11th Test century, and he described it as his finest innings in Test and first class cricket. "My 100 in Jamaica two years ago was nearly as good, but I would have to make this number one," he grinned.

He did not totally compromise his attacking integrity, for there were 17 fours and a six, but he batted for five and a half hours and showed courageous patience against Allan Donald and Paul Adams. He also saw off that competitive Brian McMillan. While Waugh remained victory appeared assured, even when his brother fell at 167 and Blewett at 192.

Beside Waugh at last night's press conference, Mark Taylor, Australia's captain who has been under intense pressure because of the collapse of his personal form, also dealt in superlatives. "This was the greatest Test win I've ever played in. We've won a lot of Test matches in the past eight years, but nothing like this.

"We gave away a first innings lead of 100 on an up and down wicket and then South Africa were 184 ahead with all 10 wickets left and three days to go. I can't think of another win that rates with this. Even with the captain struggling we're doing pretty well."

In the corner of the room Cronje looked desolate. He had seen his side come back from 95 for 7 to take a lead of 101 in the first innings. But on Saturday they collapsed from 83 for no wickets to 168 all out.

"Today, when they were eight down and still needed five, I really fancied our chances. But we lost the match when we failed to convert our 83 for 0 into a big lead We have learned a lot of harsh lessons in this game."

. South Africa have recalled left arm fast bowler Brett Schultz to their squad for the final Test starting at Centurion Park on Friday.