Queensland was on the verge of entrenching itself at the top of the Pura Cup ladder after South Australia's middle order batsmen crumbled at Adelaide Oval today.

The Redbacks were 8-373 at stumps on day three - still 130 runs behind the Bulls' imposing first innings total of 5(dec)-503.

Queensland off spinner Nathan Hauritz triggered an unforseen SA collapse of 6-67 today in the top of the table clash.

The home side was cruising at 1-259 on a perfect batting pitch with opener David Fitzgerald notching a century and an uncharacteristically scratchy Greg Blewett at the crease.

But Hauritz's dismissal of Blewett, who laboured 231 minutes for 71, was the start of an SA slide of 6-67 in a 34 over period.

Hauritz followed up by claiming the scalp of Ben Higgins (nine) before paceman Joe Dawes trapped Chris Davies lbw for 10.

Fellow quick Ashley Noffke then ended Fitzgerald's impressive innings on 139 and had Brad Young caught behind for eight.

And when debutant Scott Brant claimed his initial first-class wicket, that of Mike Smith lbw for 11, the Redbacks had slumped to 7-326.

Brant's success came during an impressive spell from the Zimbabwean-born left arm fast bowler which returned 1-7 from eight overs.

SA wicketkeeper-batsman Graham Manou (43 not out) steered his side past the follow-on target but, with signs of pitch deterioration, the Bulls are favoured to take the vital first innings points.

Hauritz finished with the pick of the bowling figures with 3-69 from 32 overs while Noffke (2-107 from 34) and Dawes (2-84 from 28) were valuable contributors.

Queensland entered this match with a two-point lead over SA at the top of the cup table.

© 2002 AAP