CAPE TOWN -- Australia has completed a comprehensive nine-wicket win over South Africa in the second test on to square the three-match series.


Michael Slater (43 not out) and David Boon (32 not out) knocked off the 91 runs needed for a win on Monday, but it was all-rounder Steve Waugh who played the decisive role in the victory.


After his first innings of 86, man-of-the-match Waugh took three of the last four South African wickets for his best bowling figures of five for 28. He took the last two in three balls after lunch.


Ultimately victory came easily but at lunchtime it looked as though the South Africans might hang on for a draw.


Resuming on 100 for six -- just 26 ahead -- South Africa lost Brian McMillan in the sixth over of the morning, lbw to Waugh for three.


McMillan's dismissal, which made the score 103 for seven, meant that five South African wickets had fallen for the addition of just nine runs.


That was the only success the Australians enjoyed before lunch as Jonty Rhodes and Dave Richardson knuckled down to bat until the interval in an eighth wicket partnership worth 61 runs.