Proteas put Aussies on notice with stunning victory

Australia's Ashes celebrations have been tempered by a huge warning shot fired by upcoming opponents South Africa.

Vernon Philander posted career-best figures as the Proteas' vaunted pace attack delivered the goods without Dale Steyn and won the first Test with India by 72 runs on a fourth day where 18 wickets fell.

Having dismissed India for 209 in the first innings, South Africa resumed on 65-2 with no play possible on day three, but quickly slumped to 130 all out, Mohammed Shami (3-28) and Jasprit Bumrah (3-39) the pick of their bowlers as India had the scent of victory in their nostrils.

The tourists' target of 208 soon seemed out of reach, however, as the Proteas blitzed through India's batting line-up, even without Steyn - whose comeback was curtailed by a heel injury.

Steyn will be out for the rest of the series, but South Africa should have plenty of confidence in the rest of their attack as Philander - aided by Morne Morkel (2-39) and Kagiso Rabada (2-41) - took 6-42 to skittle India for 135.

Meanwhile, Australia have clambered above England into third spot on the International Cricket Council's Test rankings, and will seek to claim South Africa's place in March.

Steve Smith's side started this summer in fifth place on the ICC's table but a 4-0 series win over England means they now have 104 points and only trail South Africa (111) and India (124).

Australia start a four-Test series against South Africa on March 1 in Durban, while the Proteas and India are currently squaring off in a three-Test series.

No sequence of results in those seven games will end with Australia taking top spot but Darren Lehmann's charges will likely sit second if they enjoy a lot of success in South Africa.

"It is going to be a really tough series for us," Smith told ABC Radio.

"They play really good cricket, particularly at home.

"It is going to be a great challenge for this group but we can take a lot of confidence how we played this summer. We need to take that to South Africa."

Smith backed his star-studded bowling attack to do the job in South Africa.

"It has been great to have these three (fast bowlers Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood) on the park ... Nathan Lyon too," Smith said.

"The guys have worked so well together and we have achieved something pretty special."

National selectors will pick the touring party for South Africa before the next Sheffield Shield round, with Cameron Bancroft expected to be retained at the top of the order.

Some Test players and coaches will skip the upcoming Twenty20 tri-series against England and New Zealand to arrive early in Johannesburg.

LATEST ICC TEST RANKINGS

India (124 points)
South Africa (111)
Australia (104)
New Zealand (100)
England (99)
Sri Lanka (94)
Pakistan (88)
West Indies (72)
Bangladesh (72)
Zimbabwe (1)

with agencies