South Africa won their first-ever Test series in Australia after they reached their victory target of 183.
Skipper Graeme Smith made 75 while fellow opener Neil McKenzie finished 59 not out to give the Proteas an unassailable 2-0 lead going into the final Test in Sydney.
Following their stunning fightback in Perth, where they chased down 414 in the second innings, the tourists once again were on the back foot as they were reduced to 198 for seven at the end of day two in reply to Australia`s 394.
Hayden in the squad for Sydney
But a ninth-wicket partnership of 180 between Jean-Paul Duminy, who made 166, and Dale Steyn (76) helped them take an unlikely lead before the latter`s five wickets saw Australia dismissed for 247 in their second innings.
And skipper Smith, who has been in fine form throughout the series so far, laid the foundations with an aggressive innings that saw South Africa comfortably make the 183 they needed as the Australian bowlers failed to make any significant inroads on the final day in Melbourne.
Smith departed lbw to Nathan Hauritz shortly before lunch but McKenzie and Hashim Amla (30 not out) saw their side home to inflict a first home Test series defeat on Australia since they lost to the West Indies in 1992-1993.