Mitchell Starc roared with bat and ball on day three of the day-night Test at Adelaide Oval, putting Australia in the box seat for victory over South Africa.
The Proteas were 6-194 at stumps on Saturday, holding a 70-run lead after Starc removed opener Dean Elgar and first-innings centurion Faf du Plessis.
Hashim Amla should have been Starc's third victim but failed to make the most of a dropped catch on 15, adding a further 30 runs before falling victim to Josh Hazlewood for the fifth time in the series.
"He's a world-class cricketer - we're very lucky to have him in our side. I'd much rather stand at point than face him," Nathan Lyon said.
Lyon returned to form with three wickets in the night session, including the dismissals of Temba Bavuma (21) and nightwatchman Kyle Abbott (0) in his final two overs of the day.
The late wickets left Australia, who can access the second new ball in 11 overs, well placed to snap a five-Test losing streak and avoid their first whitewash in a home Test series since federation.
"This Test match we've bowled a lot better," Lyon said.
"We want to come out and prove to Australia that cricket is in good hands."
The hosts took control of the contest thanks to Usman Khawaja's knock of 145. The classy left-hander, pitched into opening the batting, pushed Australia towards a first-innings lead of 124 runs while spending almost eight hours at the crease.
Starc, the most aggressive and productive member of a wagging tail on Saturday, also played a critical part in Australia posting 383 - their highest Test total since February.
Starc attacked with vigour following a glancing bouncer blow to his helmet, scoring 53 to register the first half-century by an Australian bowler since last year's Ashes.
"They're crucial runs. Take 50 off that (Australia's total) and they're 120 or 130 in front at the moment," Lyon said.
"That (runs) gives him confidence with his bowling, although he doesn't need it."
The spearhead fired out Elgar for a duck in the first over of South Africa's second innings then later claimed the crucial scalp of du Plessis, who was averaging 306 at the venue before his dismissal on 12.
Du Plessis, booed when he entered and left the field following last week's ball-tampering saga, was out driving when debutant Peter Handscomb snaffled a low catch at gully.
Starc continued to threaten but opener Stephen Cook, on 81 not out, did well to reach stumps alongside Quinton de Kock.
"There's a lot of fight. We're not on the plane yet," Proteas batting coach Neil McKenzie said.
Starc had been relatively subdued for much of the three-Test series; a combination of inept collapses and a training accident in September that left him with 30 stitches in his leg and a lack of match fitness.
"This is as good as Mitchell Starc's bowled in the series," Mark Taylor said on the Nine Network.
"The rhythm is back. The direction is back and his pace is lifting."
Australia made five changes for the dead rubber after losing the second Test, the series and almost all credibility in Hobart.
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