South Africa reached the close against Australia in a perilous position at 140 for four in their second innings on the third day of the decisive third Test at Newlands, a lead of 40 runs with six wickets remaining.
Matthew Breetzke will resume on the fourth morning on 19 with batting partner Ryan Rickelton on eight as South Africa look to post a total that will trouble Australia batting last.
The series is level at 1-1 and the winners will occupy top spot in the Test world rankings, which Australia currently hold.
How much is required remains to be seen. This is the first time a Test has been played in October at Newlands and while it has been warm, there is not the baking heat of midsummer to open cracks and cause the pitch to crumble.
“The further it goes into the game, I think it’s only going to get harder and harder [to bat],” said Australia’s Josh Inglis. “I’m not sure of a total [to chase]. You don’t want them getting too many more than maybe 200 or so.”
Aiden Markram was the first batter dismissed when he picked out mid-off Travis Head from the bowling of Mitchell Starc (two for 29) for one, before David Bedingham (11) was out on the pull for the second innings in a row and caught by Nathan Lyon off Josh Hazlewood.
Marques Ackerman made a bright 62 from 80 balls, his second half-century of the Test after 95 in the first innings, but was cramped up by a Starc bouncer and caught at slip by Cameron Green.
Ackerman was furious as he left the pitch having wanted to review the decision, but was out of time having made the required signal to do so as the clock hit zero. That saved his side a review as replays showed he was out.
South Africa looked to be going to the close without further trouble until captain Temba Bavuma played a poor shot off spinner Lyon in the penultimate over of the day and was bowled for 35.
Inglis earlier equalled his career best score of 102, reaching his second Test ton off 132 balls to help Australia to 429 in their first innings, a lead of exactly 100. He was eventually out when wicketkeeper Rickelton caught him off the bowling of spinner Simon Harmer (four for 104)
Alex Carey (80) also made a sizeable contribution, before Cooper Connolly was the last man out for 29, caught and bowled by Marco Jansen (three for 60)
The series is level after Australia won the first Test by 214 runs in Durban and South Africa responded with a victory by an innings and 31 runs in Gqeberha.
