Philander was 26 and had waited more than four years for a Test cap when he finally made his debut against Australia at Newlands in November 2011.

He took 3-63 in the first innings as Michael Clarke’s 151 carried Australia to 284, before South Africa were bowled out for 96.

Shane Watson took 5-17 and Ryan Harris 4-33, leaving the Proteas 188 runs behind.

Philander then produced the spell that decided the Test, taking 5-15 from seven overs, three of them maidens, as Australia were bowled out for 47.

Morne Morkel added 3-9 and Dale Steyn 2-23, and Nathan Lyon’s 14 was the highest score.

Australia were 21-9 before Lyon and Peter Siddle added 26 for the last wicket, lifting them past New Zealand’s all-time low of 26.

It was Australia’s lowest total since 1902, their fourth-lowest in Test history and their worst against South Africa.

Graeme Smith’s unbeaten 101 and Hashim Amla’s 112 sealed the 236-run chase for an eight-wicket win on day three.

Philander finished with eight wickets in the match and was named Player of the Match.

He took 14 wickets at 13.92 in the two-Test series and reached 50 Test wickets in only seven matches, the second fastest in Test history.