South Africa beat Australia by 176 runs at Newlands to win the three-match series 2-1 and go to the top of the Test rankings.

This wasn't a chase that drifted away; Kagiso Rabada ripped through it in the first over and Simon Harmer took six wickets in the innings to destroy any Australian hopes of a comeback as the tourists eventually toiled to 111, chasing 288.

Matt Renshaw was caught by Ryan Rickelton down the leg side for a golden duck and Marnus Labuschagne was lbw for four. Travis Head followed for 14, caught by Marco Jansen at gully, as Rabada took his 350th Test wicket.

That landmark made Rabada the quickest bowler to 350 Test wickets by balls bowled. He got there in 13,808 deliveries, ahead of Dale Steyn and Waqar Younis.

Australia's fourth wicket was a mess as Cameron Green called first-innings centurion Josh Inglis through for a quick single after pushing Harmer into the covers, but Inglis was left short and run out for four.

Australia's second innings was in complete disarray as Harmer had Alex Carey caught at backward point with Marco Jansen taking another good catch.

Two balls later, Cooper Connolly was caught behind for a two-ball duck, leaving the visitors 42-6.

Harmer struck again before lunch, with Mitchell Starc – who faced 25 balls without opening his account – caught at short leg as the ball looped up off his pads.

Australia were 60-7 at lunch, with Green 25 not out.

Green was bowled by Harmer for 27 soon after the restart. Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon then put on 45, but Cummins was next.

Harmer went round the wicket, struck him on the pad and three reds confirmed the lbw decision after a review – he went for 11 at 107-9 before Josh Hazlewood fell to wrap up the victory.

South Africa had done the hard work on day four, when Ryan Rickelton and Wiaan Mulder made centuries in a 154-run sixth-wicket stand to turn a first-innings deficit of 100 into a target of 288.

Australia won the first Test in Durban by 214 runs, South Africa won in Gqeberha by an innings and 31 runs, and the hosts took the decider in Cape Town with an irrepressible attacking display to thwart the tourists.