Debutant Stuart Clark helped Australia record a seven-wicket win over South Africa after tea on the third day of the first Test on Saturday.

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The fast bowler picked up four for 34, taking his match figures to nine for 89, as Australia bowled the home side out for 197 in their second innings.

The visitors then reached their 95-run target for the loss of Justin Langer (34), Matthew Hayden [Images] (32) and captain Ricky Ponting [Images] (1).

Paceman Makhaya Ntini [Images] collected three for 28 in 10 overs but Mike Hussey (14 not out) and Damien Martyn (9 not out) steered Australia home.

Earlier, Clark was the chief destroyer as South Africa lost their last five wickets for 89 runs.

"It's always hard work, even if it sometimes looks easy," said Clark after registering the third-best figures by an Australian debutant.

"The phone hasn't stopped ringing, I've had to turn it off," he told reporters while referring to the congratulatory messages he had received from friends and family back home.

UNBELIEVABLE CLARK

South Africa skipper Graeme Smith [Images] was full of praise for Clark's bowling.

"He was unbelievable, he got the ball to move both ways and he was consistent," said Smith. "He has wonderful potential."

Clark struck with the ninth ball of the day, Jacques Kallis [Images] caught behind for 36 while attempting to cut.

Ten overs later Ashwell Prince dabbed at a leg-side delivery from Clark and was also snapped up by Adam Gilchrist [Images] for 27.

Clark then caught and bowled Nicky Boje for 14 before bowling Andre Nel [Images] for four.

The South Africans struggled on a pitch that has offered movement off the seam throughout the match, with 30 wickets falling in eight sessions.

South Africa's best efforts came from Jacques Rudolph and Andrew Hall [Images], who shared 50 for the seventh wicket.

Rudolph was on 41 when he tried to leave a fizzing leg-break from Shane Warne [Images] and was bowled off the inside edge.