DURBAN, South Africa, (Reuters) – Off-spinner Nathan  Hauritz snapped up four wickets to steer Australia to an  emphatic 141-run victory over South Africa in the first one  dayer yesterday.

Hauritz’s career-best figures of four for 29 condemned   South Africa to their heaviest one-day defeat against Australia  as they were skittled out for 145 after just 33.1 overs.

Chasing 287 for victory, South Africa lost their last nine  wickets for just 54 runs as Hauritz and medium-pacer James  Hopes, who took two for 24, ran through the order.

Australia had earlier posted a total of 286 for seven, with  Mike Hussey returning to form with 83 not out.

Hauritz, playing his first match on tour, claimed the key  wickets of Graeme Smith (52), Mark Boucher (0)  and Albie Morkel (14) in 8.1 overs.

Captain Smith gave South Africa a solid start as they raced  to 89 for one after 15 overs but Hopes sparked the collapse by  having Herschelle Gibbs well-caught by Michael Clarke at point  for 33.

The rest of the South African batsmen were stifled by  Australia’s bowlers.

Smith, who scored his 38th ODI fifty at a run-a-ball, tried  to play Hauritz on the on-side and was beaten by the  27-year-old’s wise use of flight and turn, offering a simple  return catch.

From then on only JP Duminy (15) and Morkel were able to  reach double figures as South Africa quickly headed for defeat.

Hussey pounced on every opportunity to score as he cracked  an unbeaten 83 in 79 balls.

He and Hopes (38) put on a quickfire 67 for the sixth  wicket.

Earlier, wicketkeeper Brad Haddin showed his versatility as  a batsman as he moved up the order to open the innings and  contribute 53.

Haddin and captain Ricky Ponting shared a stand of 77 for  the second wicket.

Ponting fell for 37 when he mis-hit a lofted drive off Morne  Morkel to his brother Albie at deep mid-on before Haddin was run  out in a mix-up over calling.

Paceman Dale Steyn was the most effective bowler, taking two  for 45 in nine overs.