Philander takes 6-3 in 53 minutes of carnage

South Africa's surgical paceman Vernon Philander has produced the finest innings haul of his career, claiming 6-21 to destroy Australia in the space of an hour on the final morning of the fourth Test in Johannesburg. 

It was a dismal ending to Australia's tour, which they lost 3-1 to surrender a Test series in South Africa for the first time in the post-Apartheid era.

But for Philander, it was a day to remember.

The 32-year-old claimed his 200th wicket in a spell of six wickets for three runs in the space of 32 balls. 

Throughout, it was classic Philander; landing the ball on a 10-cent piece and finding just enough swing and nibble off the Wanderers surface to put doubt into the minds of Australia's batsmen.

"The first innings I rushed to the crease," he said post-match. "Today I slowed down my run-up, and found the magical length."

The right-armer also brought up his 50th wicket against Australia in his 14th Test against them, making him the ninth Proteas player to achieve the feat.

"That was amazing that Vernon did that," said fellow SA quick Kagiso Rabada. "It means we didn't have to bowl that much.

"As soon as he got that wicket I was chuffed and he just kept getting them out.

"I've seen him do it a lot of times, all of us have seen him do it a lot of times; today was another exhibition that he's shown all of us.

"I've learnt a lot from him. He's a genius at what he does. He keeps it so simple. He willingly does what he wants with the ball but keeping it very simple, that's the reason why the commentators have been calling him 'the surgeon'.

"I've learnt a lot from him and the learning never stops."

Vernon Philander's Timeline of Terror

10.01am | 30.1. Shaun Marsh (7): caught Bavuma, bowled Philander. 4-88. 

Philander strikes with the first ball of the day. Shaun Marsh plays forward to one that jags back into the left-hander, inside edges onto his pad and is caught by Temba Bavuma at gully. 

10.04am | 30.4. Mitchell Marsh (0): caught de Kock, bowled Philander. 5-88. 

Marsh follows his big brother back to the pavilion and Australia are in disarray. A small edge through to Quinton de Kock hands Philander his 200th Test wicket. 

10.25am | 34.4. Peter Handscomb (24): bowled Philander. 6-95. 

Having played back to the two previous deliveries, Handscomb tentatively pushes forward toward a fuller-pitched delivery, only to opt to let it go at the last second. It's too late; ball catches bat and deflects onto his stumps to give Philander his third.

10.44am | 38.5. Tim Paine (7): caught de Kock, bowled Philander. 7-99

Paine is tempted to come forward to one outside off as Philander continues hitting a consistent line, and the Australia captain edges through to the 'keeper. 

10.51am | 40.1. Pat Cummins (1): bowled Philander. 8-100

Cummins misjudges a straight delivery from the now rampant Philander, shouldering arms only to see the ball crash into his off stump. The Proteas quick has five inside an hour. 

10.54am | 40.2. Chadd Sayers (0): caught Elgar, bowled Philander. 9-100

Make that six. Fuller, wider, swinging away, Sayers slashes and edges away to third slip. Philander has figures of 6-3 for the morning in a truly incredible spell.