At Bloemfontein, April 8 (day/night). Australia won by one run. Toss: Australia.

Australia claimed an improbable victory to square the series after South Africa seemingly had the match won at 158 for three, needing 46 from the last nine overs. The final over was bowled by Fleming – in his first match of the tour – with six runs needed, and he held his nerve; Richardson was run out off the last ball trying to level the scores for a tie.

Hudson made the only half-century of the match, and his 84 deserved to win it. But once he was caught by Border off Reiffel, the rot set in. Border, in his farewell international, astutely saved three Warne overs for the impatient Kuiper, who was first tied down and then caught, by Mark Waugh. Healy's unbeaten 41 off 31 balls for Australia had given them a total that proved just enough.

Man of the Match: A. C. Hudson. Man of the Series: S. R. Waugh.

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