South Africa are continuing to defy the odds on day five, with Australia still needing six wickets in the final two sessions to win the second Test in Adelaide.
The Proteas have added just 49 runs to their overnight total, but the only matter of importance is defiant pair AB de Villiers (30no, 207 balls) and Faf du Plessis (49no, 177 balls) are still occupying the crease.
De Villiers and du Plessis, who have combined for 81 runs, were in the same class together at school in Pretoria.
But there’s still a massive mountain to climb for the visitors.
South Africa are 4-126 at lunch, with du Plessis surviving thanks to three DRS reviews.
Captain Michael Clarke (0-26) has been the man most likely for Australia, but despite umpire Billy Bowden twice raising the finger for lbw appeals, the decisions were overturned.
Spinner Nathan Lyon (2-27) also challenged after a strong lbw appeal in the shadows of lunch, but after Bowden gave it not out, DRS curiously showed the ball flying over the top of leg stump.
Australia set South Africa 430 to win the match, but with 304 still required, victory is out of the equation.
South Africa can relinquish their No.1 ranking to Australia if they lose the three-match series ending with the third Test in Perth.
It appeared certain Clarke had du Plessis out in the 66th over when the Proteas debutant didn’t offer a shot.
But replays showed the ball pitched fractionally outside leg-stump, meaning du Plessis could not be given out.
The second shout came two overs later, and this time DRS saved Bowden from making an absolute howler – du Plessis clearly hitting the ball, which never went anywhere near his pads.
One wicket will break the match wide open for Australia, but for the moment the South Africans are digging in bravely.
Since being sent in midway through day four, the Proteas lost Graeme Smith (nought), Hashim Amla (17), Alviro Petersen (24) and Jacques Rudolph (3) cheaply, but have well and truly steadied the ship.
Injured allrounder Jacques Kallis is due in next, followed by the tail.
Kallis showed with his first innings 58 that he can bat through the pain, but given he’s already been ruled out of the third Test, there’s an opportunity for Australia to take advantage of his lack of movement.
Ben Hilfenhaus (1-27) took the new ball for Australia in the 81st over and will need to lift along with Peter Siddle (1-34), with James Pattinson (side strain) out for the summer and unable to bowl in the innings.
