Vernon Philander returned career-best figures of 6-21 as South Africa swiftly wrapped up the fourth Test against Australia on the final day in Johannesburg to cruise to a 3-1 series win.

The tourists were chasing a nigh-on impossible target of 612 and crumbled from their overnight 88-3 to 119 all out, Philander's haul including his 200th Test wicket and 50th against Australia in a rampant showing - at one point the seamer had claimed his six victims for just three runs from 32 balls.

Australia went down by a mammoth 492 runs as they head home with their tails firmly between their legs after a desperate series that looks to have done lasting damage to the team in the wake of the ball-tampering scandal.

The controversy of the earlier Tests - including the fiasco at Newlands - should not overshadow the Proteas' brilliance, however, and Philander was the standout performer here.

He set the tone as he removed both Shaun and Mitchell Marsh in the opening over - the latter his 200th wicket - before a further four Australian batsmen fell at his hand.

And when Nathan Lyon was run out, following a ball from the retiring Morne Morkel, it brought a dismal end to Darren Lehmann's time in charge of the tourists.

It quickly became apparent that Australia's stand would not be a long or fruitful one, Philander taking Shaun Marsh's wicket with the very first ball of Tuesday's play as he edged to Temba Bavuma at gully.

And with the tourists still chasing their first run of the day, Mitchell Marsh departed via an edge through to Quinton de Kock as Philander brought up his double-century.

Peter Handscomb survived a little longer before he played on for 24, with Philander then continuing his dominance as Tim Paine nicked behind.

Australia belatedly passed three figures with Pat Cummins and Lyon at the crease, but the former was Philander's next victim as he left one that crashed into off stump.

Chadd Sayers went for a golden duck as he sent a thick edge to Dean Elgar at third slip from Philander's subsequent ball and, although he could not complete a sensational hat-trick, Australia were all out within an hour and a half of play.

A review showed Lyon to be short as De Kock removed the bails, a woeful ending that summed up Australia's day, Test and series.