Pieter Malan ground out a maiden half-century whilst the Proteas need to chase another 312 runs to achieve a record win to go 2-0 up, writes Naeemah Benjamin.
Too much surprise England came out to bat after the lunch interval despite already having a damming 421-run lead but shortly into the second session the visitors declared on 391/8 setting South Africa a mammoth 438 runs to win the second Test.
The Proteas came out to chase a familiar number, 438 with 4 and a half sessions left. Coincidence?
Reckon Mark Boucher would fancy his troops to chase this down?
Dean Elgar and Pieter Malan went along decently putting up 71 runs for the opening stand before the former fell victim by the finest of margins to a Joe Denly delivery for 34 (78).
Pieter Malan went about his business in a slow and steady fashion to bring up a gritty maiden Test fifty at his home ground. It came off 144 deliveries. The debutant showed complete control and utter determination batting for just over 3 hours.
The second wicket partnership between Malan and Zubayr Hamza was worth 52 runs with the former on (63*) and the latter on (18) to see SA through to stumps on 126/2 needing 312 runs to win.
Dare we believe..
Photo: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
