Simon Harmer says South Africa won’t focus on setting a specific target just yet and won’t look further than the first session when the first Test against Bangladesh resumes on Friday.

South Africa will start day four on 61-0 with Stiaan van Zyl (33) and Dean Elgar (28) still at the crease and looking to wipe out the deficit of 17 runs that still remains after Bangladesh were bowled out for 326 in their first innings.

‘We can’t focus on setting a target just yet,’ Harmer said at a press conference after the day’s play.

‘There is still a lot of cricket to be played. Stiaan and Dean did very well to see us through the last session. We don’t look further than tomorrow’s (Friday’s) first session.

‘We need to make sure we set ourselves a good base since we’ve lost time to rain and bad light.’

Harmer confirmed that the pitch had deteriorated quite a bit and said the spinner would come more into the game over the last two days.

‘With the rain there should still be some moisture in the surface so I don’t see the cracks becoming a factor; it will be more the foot marks that assist the bowlers.’

He said the seamers did a good job setting the tone early on Thursday. ‘What we bowled them out for is a respectable total.

‘Field placings in these conditions are crucial. It took me a while to get into it. What pace you bowl is also important as well as varying it. You can’t bowl too much of the same type of delivery.’