South Africa, looking to win the series 3-0, made one change with spinner Tabraiz Shamsi making his Test debut in place of Keshav Maharaje.
Australia's fifth Test defeat in a row, after losing 3-0 in Sri Lanka in July and August, has left them on the brink of their first-ever home Test series whitewash.
Jackson Bird was preferred to Adelaide-based Chadd Sayers as Australia's third pace bowler in a much-changed side with under-pressure spinner Nathan Lyon holding on to his place as five changes were made.
Teams
Australia: David Warner, Matt Renshaw, Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith (capt), Peter Handscomb, Nic Maddinson, Matthew Wade, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon, Jackson Bird.
South Africa: Stephen Cook, Dean Elgar, Hashim Amla, JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis (capt), Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock, Vernon Philander, Tabraiz Shamsi, Kagiso Rabada, Kyle Abbott.
Umpires: Nigel Llong (ENG) and Richard Kettleborough (ENG)
TV umpire: Aleem Dar (PAK)
Match referee: Andy Pycroft (ZIM)