The Proteas bowlers will be eyeing a day off on Friday and intend wrapping up the Sri Lankan innings in quick order on day four of the second Test at Newlands.
They need just six wickets to give the Proptea their third successive series win, after overcoming New Zealand (1-0) and Australia (2-1).
But making a defiant stand, for pride if nothing else, are Dinesh Chandimal (28) and captain Angelo Mathews (29), who put shared a partenrship worth 61 for the fifth wicket. Day three closed with the Sri Lankans on 130-4, still 377 adrift of the target.
Kagiso Rabada, who ended with two of the four wickets to fall on Wednesday, said there would be no rest for the batsmen as the wicket still holds some demons.
‘There is a bit of pace and some bounce as well,’ he said. ‘It’s a wicket where you are not quite in. Some balls will bounce, one will nip, one ball has the potential to misbehave and have the batsmen in trouble.
‘You can’t get too complacent here, there is some bounce and pace, that is what we are going to use as the ball gets older.’
The Sri Lankans are showing a bit of fight, but throughout this Test, the morning session has always been productive for the bowlers. The Proteas will be hoping they won’t need the tea break.
Photo: Chris Ricco/BackpagePix
