Johannesburg: Australia win by 162 runs and lead the series 1-0. A remarkable win after they were 38 for 3 on the opening day. The match see-sawed a bit yesterday after they collapsed in the second innings but Australia always had a grip on the match.

SA made steady progress to the target yesterday but the Australian bowlers didn't allow too many free runs today and earned their wickets. Johnson rounds off an excellent match with eight wickets to back his unbeaten 96.

South Africa survived until after tea on the final day before being bowled out for 291. Their resistance was worn down by accurate, disciplined Australian bowling.

Left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Johnson sealed the win when he bowled Dale Steyn eight balls after tea. Man of the match Johnson finished with four for 112. He took four for 25 in the first innings and also made 96 not out with the bat.

Australia were beaten 2-1 in a home series against the same opponents earlier in the season. They need to win or draw the return three-Test series to retain their International Cricket Council Test championship.

Brief Score: Australia 466 (North 117, Johnson 96*, Ponting 83, Steyn 4-113) and 207 (Hughes 75, Kallis 3-22, Ntini 3-52) beat South Africa 220 (de Villers 104*, Johnson 4-25, Siddle 3-76) and 291 (Smith 69, Johnson 4-112, Siddle 3-46) by 162 runs.