South African captain Graeme Smith ended a period of personal torment and hailed "one of the great comebacks in Test cricket history" after South Africa sealed an eight-wicket win by lunch on the third day of the first Test against Australia at Newlands on Friday.

Smith and Amla hit centuries as South Africa cruised to victory less than 24 hours after they conceded a 188-run first innings deficit in one of the most topsy-turvy Tests in history.