Australia salvaged some pride and avoided a series whitewash with a seven-wicket win over South Africa in the third Test in Adelaide.

Despite a Stephen Cook century, the tourists were bowled out for 250 at Adelaide Oval on Sunday.

That set Australia just 127 for victory and David Warner (47) made a blistering start on day four.

Debutant Matt Renshaw (34 not out) and captain Steven Smith (40) did much of the remaining work as the hosts completed their victory for a positive end to a series which saw them lose heavily in Perth and Hobart.

Mitchell Starc (4-80) had done the earlier damage to set up a relatively comfortable chase.

South Africa resumed at 194-6 and lost Quinton De Kock (5) early, the wicketkeeper given out lbw to Jackson Bird (1-54) after a review.

The new ball brought the next wicket, Starc trapping Vernon Philander, who unsuccessfully reviewed the decision, in front for 17.

While Cook made his second Test ton, South Africa were left to rue their failures with the bat a day earlier as they were all out for 250.

Whatever slim hope they had of victory, Warner quickly took it away, striking seven fours in his 51 balls at the crease – although Renshaw had to survive an early review.

There were slight worries for Australia, Warner run out by Temba Bavuma before first-innings centurion Usman Khawaja went two balls later for a duck, lbw to Tabraiz Shamsi (1-49) after a South African review.

Australia steadied from 64-2 and Renshaw survived another review, he and Smith putting on 61 before the skipper departed with just two needed, edging a beauty from Kyle Abbott (1-26).

And so it was left to two of Australia's three debutants, Renshaw and Peter Handscomb (1no) to pick off the remaining singles and seal a deserved victory.