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Fast bowler Dale Steyn ripped through the India batting line-up on a rain-reduced day two of the second Test at Kingsmead to claim six wickets and hand the momentum to South Africa in the series decider on Friday.
Steyn finished with figures of six for 100 in his 30 overs, while Morne Morkel recorded three for 50 in 23.3 miserly overs.
South Africa raced to 82 without loss in their reply during a marathon three-hour final session with openers Graeme Smith (35 not out) and Alviro Petersen (46 not out) to resume on Saturday as the Proteas aim to build a big lead.
India lost their last nine wickets for 136 runs as they crashed from a commanding 198 for one to 334 all out, with Steyn the catalyst for their collapse as he ended a barren run of 414 deliveries between wickets in the series with a fiery spell of bowling after lunch.
Nine of the 10 Indian wickets were caught behind the wicket as the South African pace barrage that had looked so meek on day one came to life with Steyn's inspired spell in the afternoon session in which he took three wickets in 10 balls.
After the morning was completely lost to rain, Cheteshwar Pujara (70) was Steyn's first victim as India added 17 runs to their overnight 181 for one, caught by wicketkeeper AB de Villiers pushing forward to a pitched-up ball.
It brought to an end a fine second-wicket stand of 157 between Pujara and Murali Vijay that had so frustrated South Africa on the opening day.
Vijay moved to within three of his century before he succumbed to Steyn's short-pitched attack, gloving the ball down the leg-side to De Villiers.
India advanced to 320 before they lost their sixth wicket, MS Dhoni (24) providing a catch for Smith at first slip off Steyn.
Jacques Kallis, playing his 166th and last Test, reached perhaps one final milestone when he pouched Ravindra Jadeja (zero) at slip off spinner JP Duminy - his 200th catch in five-day cricket.
The first Test was drawn.