Jonty Rhodes (76) and Mark Boucher (41 not out) put on 97 for the sixth wicket in a partnership that enabled South Africa to reach 267 for six in their 50 overs in the fifth Standard Bank one-day international against Australia at Kings-mead in Durban on Wednesday.

The pair came together at 158 for five in the 36th over and stayed there until the 49th to give South Africa perhaps their best chance in the series of finally winning a match.

With Australia slow in getting through their overs they ran 20 minutes over their allotted three-and-a-half hours - the South Africans may find themselves having to defend their total in less than the regulation 50 overs.