Roelof van der Merwe put the Titans in a commanding position, while the Lions are pushing for victory and the match in Pietermaritzburg seems destined for a draw.

Ryan McLaren showed he still has some serious ability with the bat to give the Dolphins a first innings lead in Pietermaritzburg. He batted brilliantly with the tail on his way to an unbeaten 121. That innings took the side from a precarious 169-7 to an impressive 370 all out.

The Warriors were a little shocked to be facing a deficit and lost two early wickets to leave them on 22-2 in their second dig. Michael Price and Ryan Bailey steadied the side, scoring 42 and 14 respectively. They will start again on the final morning with the scoreboard reading 75-2.

In Cape Town, the Lions are in control against the defending champions. After Justin Ontong and Dane Vilas fell for 94 and 89, respectively, the rest collapsed in a heap. The innings was wrapped up for 306, giving the Lions a healthy 107-run lead.

The wicket has started to turn and George Linde has taken full advantage this afternoon. He claimed figures of 4-60 to reduce the Lions to 166-7 at stumps. The visitors have 273-run lead heading into the final day, but they will be nervous of declaring too early as Richard Levi looms at the top of the Cobras order.

Roelof van der Merwe smashed a 144-ball 121 in Bloemfontein to pile even more agony on the Knights. His innings allowed the Titans to declare on 367-7 and set the hosts a target of 549 runs for victory.

The writing looked to be on the wall at 42-3, but Rudi Second and Pite van Biljon fought out the rest of the day and gave the Knights an outside chance of salvaging a draw. Second, 76, and Van Biljon, 73, will look to bat all day and frustrate the Titans on a flat track.

Report compiled by Gareth Stevens.

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