South Africa were 0-19 at tea in their second innings on Monday, needing 39 more runs to win the second test and the series against India at Kingsmead.
Dale Steyn struck straight away on the final day as South Africa bowled India out for 223 in their second innings to close in on a series victory in Jacques Kallis' final Test.
Spinner Robin Peterson took four wickets, leaving South Africa needing 58 runs to win the second Test and the two-game contest despite a fighting 96 by Ajinkya Rahane, who was India's last man out searching for a maiden Test hundred.
Steyn removed Virat Kohli off the first ball of the day and Cheteshwar Pujara (32) in his second over on the way to his 3-47.
Peterson took 4-74 and Vernon Philander grabbed his third when he bowled Rahane right at the end.
South Africa took eight wickets in a session-and-a-half.
