Johnson strikes to leave South Africa in trouble at stumps

Left-arm Australian fast bowler Mitchell Johnson's searing pace has left South Africa reeling at 140 for the loss of six wickets on the second day of the First Test being played at the Centurion cricket ground.

The Proteas are still trailing the Kangaroos by 257 runs.

Chasing Australia's total of 397, the South Africans were virtually brought to their knees in the Cape-Town Test by Johnson's hostile four wicket spell of fast-bowling, reports the Sydney Morning Herald.

Johnson also chipped in the field by taking a dazzling outfield catch of the bat of J.P. Duminy, while back-peddling from mid-off.

Johnson finished the day with 4-51 from 13 and a half overs.

Play was halted about half an hour before scheduled draw of stumps due to a storm.

The only saving grace for South Africa was vice captain A.B. de Villiers unbeaten 52.

The 29-year-old has extended his record of reaching a half-century to 11 consecutive Tests, which is more than double the next best by a wicketkeeper and equal to the overall record jointly held by West Indian star Viv Richards, and former Indian openers Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag.

Johnson claimed the wickets of Graeme Smith, Faf du Plessis, Alviro Petersen and Ryan McLaren.

For Australia, Shaun Marsh scored 148, while Steve Smith notched up his century.

The Proteas claimed Australia's last three wickets for 27 runs. Right-arm fast bowler Dale Steyn finished with his team's best figures of 4-78 off 29 overs.