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Wearied Faf delivers ton of courage

Proteas captain overcomes obstacles on way to resolute ton to crush Australia's fourth Test hopes

Faf du Plessis shook off a badly damaged finger, the immense pressures as captain and a dogged Australia attack to post his eighth Test century on day four of the fourth Test in Johannesburg.

Du Plessis' 120 – his third Test century against Australia – ensured only a miracle would prevent his side from winning the final Test and securing an historic series won over Tim Paine's men.

South Africa have not beaten Australia on home soil in a Test series since 1970, a 48-year streak that looks certain to be snapped on Tuesday unless the tourists can reel in the 524 runs they need with only seven wickets in hand.

Du Plessis' innings helped push the fourth-innings target to 612, but it took a ton of courage from the Proteas skipper who has battled a finger injury the entire series.

Day wrap: Australia lose three before stumps

The 34-year-old broke his right index finger in a one-day international against India in February and was in doubt for the first Test against Australia in Durban given the short turnaround to recover.

He was passed fit, declaring on match eve with a wry smile his finger was "good to go" but the runs failed to flow.

Wearing a glove with additional padding on his repaired finger, du Plessis battled to find form with only 55 runs coming from seven innings in the series before Monday's breakthrough knock.

What made matters worse, and exemplified his toughness, was how the right-hander was twice struck flush on the injured digit, first by seam bowler Chadd Sayers on Sunday and then again from express quick Pat Cummins that saw his finger cut open.

After treatment from the Proteas medicos, du Plessis bravely batted on to post three-figures and put a difficult series with both bat and as a captain behind him.

His duties as an international captain are exhausting enough without having to act as the team's figurehead and spokesperson, and in du Plessis' case this series, spending too much time in the office of the match referee discussing the behavior and actions of his players. 

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Former Proteas captain Graeme Smith can relate to du Plessis on a number of levels; as a captain, a batsman and a player who has suffered his fair share of broken fingers playing international cricket and says the century was "greatly needed" after a lean run with the bat.

"Its been a tough series for leadership, a lot of side issues to deal with," Smith told cricket.com.au.

"It's always draining to lead through four Test matches anyway against a competitive nation. 

"A lot of it (du Plessis' poor form) has to do with that finger injury he had coming into the series and he was short of game time. 

"Then to get one or two good deliveries, suddenly you're under pressure and it snowballs, and then all the drama comes along. 

"Mentally, the challenge of a captain is to always try and stay fresh and then perform yourself. 

"It's looked like he's been batting OK but hasn't been able to get (a score).

"He's been short of runs and he played well today, which was great."

Qantas tour of South Africa

South Africa squad: Faf du Plessis (c), Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Theunis de Bruyn, Dean Elgar, Heinrich Klaasen, Quinton de Kock, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Morne Morkel, Chris Morris, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Duanne Olivier, Vernon Philander, Kagiso Rabada, AB de Villiers.

Australia squad: Joe Burns, Pat Cummins, Peter Handscomb, Josh Hazlewood, Jon Holland, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Tim Paine, Matt Renshaw, Jhye Richardson, Chadd Sayers, Mitchell Starc.

Warm-up match: Australia beat South Africa A by five wickets. Report, highlights

First Test Australia won by 118 runs. Scorecard

Second Test South Africa won by six wickets. Scorecard

Third Test South Africa won by 322 runs. Scorecard

Fourth Test Wanderers, Johannesburg, March 30-April 3. Live coverage