South Africa’s first series in Australia for almost 30 years was marked by one of the most astonishing comebacks in Test history.

Needing 117 to win a Test that they had dominated from the start, Australia lost by five runs, the fourth-narrowest runs margin in history.

It had all seemed too easy as Shane Warne cut through South Africa’s first innings with figures of seven for 56, including a spell of five for five in 22 balls.

And 12,000 fans filed in to the SCG on the morning of the final day with 54 runs required for victory and six Aussie wickets in hand.

But Fanie De Villiers took six for 43, completing match figures of 10 for 123 in his second Test, to send Australia to defeat.

In just his seventh Test, Damien Martyn was roundly blamed, having spent 106 minutes scoring six runs and, as the last recognised batsman, holing out at cover.

By eerie coincidence, Australia’s total of 111 was the same as their second innings against England at Headingley in 1981.