Proteas146; first win Down Under

But Boucher, who struck six fours and a six, and Justin Kemp 29 not out steadied the ship with an unbroken stand of 71 to seal victory.

The Proteas sensed easy victory when they reduced Australia to 61-7 in the 18th over, with man of the match Shaun Pollock capturing three wickets.

But somebody forgot to tell that to Mike Hussey and Brett Lee, who rescued the innings with a seventh wicket 123-run partnership.Hussey top-scored with 73 while Lee chipped in with 57.

Australia made a disastrous start with Gilchrist and his fellow opener Simon Katich both making ducks.

Brief scores: Australia: 228 Hussey 73, Lee 57, Pollock 3/30, Hall 3/43 lost to South Africa: 229/5 Dippenaar 74, Boucher 63 n.o 63, McGrath 2/35