DURBAN, South Africa (AP) — Harbhajan Singh spun India back into contention on day two of the second test against South Africa at Kingsmead yesterday, taking 4-10 as the Proteas were bowled out for 131 — 74 runs behind India’s 205.

Off-spinner Harbhajan and fit-again fast bowler Zaheer Khan (3-36) shared seven wickets to give top-ranked India an unlikely lead as South Africa slumped to their lowest first-innings total at Kingsmead in 71 years, and second-lowest ever at the Durban venue.

Hashim Amla top-scored for the Proteas with 33 at his home ground but his departure, lbw to Harbhajan, began South Africa’s 12-over collapse after lunch where they lost six wickets for 35 runs.

Shanthakumaran Sreesanth and Ishant Sharma had one wicket each, with Sharma also involved in the run out of Jacques Kallis.

South Africa had bowled India out for 205 early on day two, with Dale Steyn claiming 6-50 and his 15th career five-wicket haul, before the home team folded in just 37.2 overs.

India bowled and caught superbly in the afternoon, finally justifying their number one ranking, to claw their way back into the three-match series. South Africa lead the series 1-0.

Fourteen wickets had fallen in just over 46 overs on day two at Kingsmead when tea was taken early at the end of South Africa’s innings.

Resuming after lunch and already struggling on 74-4, Amla and Ashwell Prince shared a 22-run partnership for the Proteas before Harbhajan struck with the first ball of his second over, trapping the inform Amla lbw trying to sweep. It ended Amla’s run of four successive centuries against India.

Prince then chopped a Zaheer delivery on to his stumps and Dale Steyn and Paul Harris fell to brilliant catches in the same Harbhajan over.

Rahul David snapped up a Steyn edge one-handed and diving to his left at slip for a memorable 200th Test catch. Cheteshwar Pujara then held on to a tough close chance at short leg to dismiss Harris for a duck five balls later.

Mark Boucher (16 not out) and Morne Morkel (10) dragged South Africa limping to 127 with a 24-run partnership, the best of the innings, before Morkel holed out to a fine catch on the boundary by the all-action Harbhajan to give Sharma his lone wicket.