South Africa won the opening test by an innings and six runs on Tuesday to hand top-ranked India their first defeat on home soil in almost two years.

Left-arm spinner Paul Harris and fast bowler Dale Steyn took three wickets each to help South Africa record a morale-boosting victory after they broke Sachin Tendulkar’s resistance following his 46th test century.

India were bowled out for 319 as Steyn finished with a match haul of 10 for 108 following South Africa’s imposing first innings of 558 for six declared and a career-best seven for 51 in India’s first innings.

Harris took the prized wicket of Tendulkar for 100 after frustrating the master batsman by bowling a defensive leg-side line.

Tendulkar’s century, which included 13 boundaries, was his third in three tests.

Harris then dismissed skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni for 25 and finished with three for 76 off a marathon 38 overs that included 17 maidens.

When India resumed on 66-2 after being forced to follow-on, Tendulkar put on 72 for the third wicket with Murali Vijay before Harris struck.

Both Vijay and Tendulkar fell attempting to sweep at Harris, who frustrated the batsmen by bowling accurately to a leg-side field in a successful attempt to dry up runs.

Left-arm medium-pacer Wayne Parnell had Subramaniam Badrinath (6) edge behind before Tendulkar went.

Tendulkar, who was dropped by Jacques Kallis at slip on 45, batted superbly before he succumbed to Harris, who bowled 15 maidens in his 29 overs.

Harris then sent back skipper Dhoni, the last recognized batsman, who was caught by AB de Villiers at silly point.

Hashim Amla hit a double century and Kallis struck 173 to put South Africa in control with Dale Steyn returning career-best figures of seven for 51 Monday to bowl out top-ranked India for 233 in their first innings.

South Africa will reclaim the number one ranking if they win the series.