Aiden Markram scored his third century in three innings as the Titans rallied against the Cobras in Centurion.

This means that the two men fighting for the one vacant Test opening berth – the other being Pieter Malan – have both scored hundreds. With the Boxing Day Test against Sri Lanka less than a month away, whoever maintains this form is likely to front the tourists.

Markram’s 113 came off 192 deliveries and featured 17 fours. Titans No 3 Neil Brand got 115. Dean Elgar’s lean run of form continued, he scored just nine. The Titans have a slim lead at the close, finishing on 440 all out in response to the Cobras’ 411. The Cobras are 33-0 at stumps, a lead of four runs.

In Durban, the Knights crumbled after a strong start to their second innings. Standing on 150-2 and leading by 13 runs at the start of play, they were all out for 213. Matthew Kleinveldt (77) was the standout batter. Dolphins seamer Daryn Dupavillion – who took seven-for in the first innings – ended with figures of 4-66 in the second.

The Dolphins won by five wickets after chasing 78.

Meanwhile in Port Elizabeth, Wian Mulder backed up a first-innings 91 with an unbeaten century in the Lions’ second innings. The all-rounder’s contribution helped the Lions set a sizeable target of 425 to win.

The Warriors are 219-5 at stumps, skipper Yaseen Vallie (85) and Rudi Seconds (76*) leading with the bat. They need 294 more runs to win.