AUSSIES ON RUN AGAIN.

JUST days after India overcame the fourth largest run chase in Test history, South Africa nailed the second highest with ease to smash Australia by six wickets in Perth.

A whopping target of 414 was overhauled thanks to ton-up heroes Graeme Smith and AB de Villiers who were also helped by a sensational unbeaten half-century from JP Duminy on his debut.

Australia are increasingly looking like a shadow of their former selves with a bowling attack that cannot dominate the opposition the way it used to.

And if you wondered what the effect of losing Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne would have on the side, this is it, as they managed to take just 14 South African wickets all match - 11 to Mitchell Johnson.

It is the first time the Aussies have lost the first match of a home series since 1988 and they have the record of conceding the top two run-chases in history.

Skipper Ricky Ponting, who is facing the toughest battle of his career having also lost to India last month, said: "It is a very disappointing result, and a bit of a worry we weren't good enough to take 20 wickets."

With the Ashes looming next summer, Kevin Pietersen said: "When I saw the scoreboard that they had won, it made me chuckle a little bit."

CAPTION(S):

BEAUTIFUL SOUTH de Villiers (106) and Duminy (50) walk off after securing the stunning win in Perth