Cape Town: Australia lost wickets in quick succession and fell short of 25 runs while chasing 289 and lost the third One-Day International to South Afica in Cape Town.

Jacques Kallis and AB de Villiers shared a century partnership to set up a comfortable 25-run win for South Africa in the third One-Day International against Australia at Newlands on Thursday.

Kallis 70 (86b, 5x4) and De Villiers 80 (87b, 7x4) shared a 114-run partnership for the third wicket to rescue the home side from early trouble to post 289 for six.

Australia made a reasonable start, reaching 66 for one before their innings stalled against the slow bowling of Johan Botha and Roelof van der Merwe.

They slumped to 114 for five and were effectively out of the game with less than 20 overs remaining.

But Callum Ferguson 63 (68b, 6x4) and James Hopes unbeaten 63 (60b, 5x4) only briefly threatening as outstanding fielding and Roelof van der Merwe's three for 37 restricted the visitors to 264 for seven.

The win gave South Africa a 2-1 lead in the five-match series, which continues in Port Elizabeth on Monday.

Jacques Kallis declared Man of the Match for his half Century.

Brief Score: South Africa 289/6 (de Villiers 80, Kallis 70, Johnson 4-34) beat Australia 264/7 (Ferguson 63, Hopes 63*) by 25 runs