Perth: Shane Warne described it as one of the best run-outs he had seen and Michael Vaughan was equally effusive after Temba Bavuma's piece of brilliance ended David Warner's afternoon.
Warner had largely looked in command until he took on the diminutive, 161-centimetre Bavuma and was run out for 35, sparking Australia's second innings collapse at the WACA on Sunday afternoon.
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Fantastic Bavuma runs out Warner
David Warner is sensationally run out by Temba Bavuma as he attempts a quick single with Australia chasing a mammoth 539.
Warner had bunted a delivery from Kagiso Rabada to short cover and set off for a quick single - but he wasn't quick enough. Bavuma dashed from point, scooped up the ball and, while diving forward in mid air, threw in the same motion. His amazing throw would hit the bottom of the stumps.
Replays showed Warner's bat was stuck on the crease - it needed to be over the line for him to survive.Â
![Gotcha: Temba Bavuma runs out David Warner with a direct hit](/web/20161109123958im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/j/9/u/c/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gsj9jh.png/1478429344232.jpg)
South African bowling coach Charl Langevelt described the run out as "brilliant".
"It was unbelievable. This was the play of the day," he said.
However, Bavuma could have been forgiven for thinking his teammates had quickly forgotten him when they gathered to celebrate; he looked for a high-five from Rabada, and only got it after slapping his teammate on the shoulder.
Former England captain Vaughan, commentating on the Test series from England, posed the question - was this was the "greatest ever run out"?
![Jonty Rhodes launches himself at the stumps to run out Inzamam-Ul-Haq at the 1992 World Cup](/web/20161109123958im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/j/9/w/2/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gsj9jh.png/1478429344232.jpg)
Bavuma's brilliance would have been appreciated by his countryman Jonty Rhodes, who produced one of the greatest run-outs in cricketing history in the 1992 World Cup when he ran out Pakistan's Inzamam-ul-Haq at the Gabba.
Rhodes took hold of the ball at point and, instead of throwing, dashed in and threw himself at the stumps, uprooting all three. It has been remembered as the "Superman" run-out.
The Proteas will resume the final day of the Test needing six wickets to claim what JP Duminy said would be one of their finest wins in history.
In the absence of spearhead Dale Steyn, Rabada accepted the added responsibility on Sunday, and took down a shaky Shaun Marsh, Steve Smith, staring at his fourth-straight Test defeat as skipper, and Adam Voges.
In eight Tests, he already has three five-wicket hauls, and appears set for another on a deck which has cracked and is providing uneven bounce.
Langeveldt said Rabada, 21, had embraced the leadership responsibilities.
"He has done it before. Today, he just stepped up again. If a 21-year-old bowls at 145km/h-plus, it's always exciting. He has gone a long way in international cricket, he is a quick learner, he asks a lot of questions and he is very knowledgeable about the game," he said.
Much will rest for Australia with Usman Khawaja (58 not out) and Mitch Marsh (15 not out) when play resumes on Monday - the latter is in desperate need of a big score to save his spot beyond the second Test, beginning on Saturday in Hobart.
Proteas skipper Faf du Plessis will also hope swing-king Vernon Philander, who claimed four first-innings wickets and posted a crucial half-century, can again have an impact with the ball.Â
"Australia is one of the hardest nations - when it comes to it, they fight, they play the game hard. I don't think they are going to come here and roll over," Langeveldt said.
"It does help if you get David Warner out because he has been playing brilliant cricket in the one-dayers back home. It's going to be a hard day, I still think.
"The ball isn't turning as much, so for the spin bowler, there is not a lot happening for him. I think it's going to be down to our two seamers.
"So how well Faf rotates them is going to be key."
Australian paceman Peter Siddle, whose speed has been under question, said "stranger things can happen if you drag them (Tests) out to late in day five". Â
"It's probably a bit deflating to be sitting here now in the position we are in but that's Test-match cricket," he said.
"Tomorrow is just about turning up and working hard and seeing where we end up at the end of the day. This next partnership is going to be a big one for us.
"If these boys can start well and see us through the first session ... we are in hard place. We can always dream."
Is this the greatest ever Run Out .. !!! And no not just because it was @davidwarner31 ... @btsportcricket https://t.co/2lKTxllnKp
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) November 6, 2016