South Africa have built a commanding lead over Australia at stumps on day three of the second Test behind an unbeaten near century from Hashim Amla.
The Proteas used day three to dismiss the disappointing visitors for a score 192 for the loss of four wickets and establish a 369-run, and counting, lead with two days to play.
Australia were dismissed after lunch for a paltry 246 in the space of just 51 overs, receiving 70 from David Warner and 49 from Steve Smith, who was unluckily dismissed caught behind upon umpire review.
Morne Morkel collected three wickets in 17 overs at the cost of 63 runs, matched by another three from Vernon Philander, who bowled 13 overs at the cost of 68 runs.
The Aussies looked in prime position for another epic run with the ball when Mitchell Johnson cleaned bowled captain Graeme Smith courtesy of some inside edge and Peter Siddle sent Dean Elgar off, caught behind by keeper Brad Haddin,dropping the home side to 2-42.
But Amla’s steady hand guided South Africa to a strong overnight total despite surviving a dropped Haddin catch on 83 and Johnson and Siddle removing AB de Villiers and Faf du Pleiss respectively.
South Africa V Australia: Proteas Stumble Before Stumps
Amla, having reached his near century from 126 balls including 12 boundaries, and 21-year-old Quinton de Kock resume at the crease tomorrow while Australia are likely hoping that the expected showers on Monday rain out the remainder of the Test.
Weather forecasts predict an 80% chance of rain on day five and some 15 millimetres of rainfall.
A second Test win would put South Africa in with a great chance at claiming their first home series win over the Aussies since readmission to Test cricket in 1992.
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