19-year-old Aiden Markram was less than a Test century away at lunch on Friday as South Africa reached 180-5 on the second day of the first Test in response to Pakistan’s first innings total of 211.
Markram was under pressure after a series of low scores for South Africa but showed his value to the team with an ill-fated knock that left South Africa 31 runs down with five wickets in hand at Centurion.
The 81st will resume with Kyle Ferrini (0 not out) after lunch, looking to build a lead for the hosts as they chase a win that will secure them a place in the World Test Championship final next June.
But two wickets for Pakistan in the morning session on Friday kept them firmly in contention with skipper Temba Bavuma and David Bedingham both dismissed in the first session.
South Africa were 82-3 overnight as Markram and Bavuma made another 54 runs before the skipper was dismissed, providing a thick outside edge to an Aamir Jamal delivery and was caught behind for 31.
Bedingham was attacking in style in his short spell at the crease, scoring 30 runs off 33 balls before a further bounce from Naseem Shah saw him edge Kamran Ghulam to the slips.
Markram was on 47 overnight and quickly moved beyond 50 runs at 3 in the morning as Pakistan toiled in the first hour before making their breakthrough.
South Africa need to win one of two matches against Pakistan to reach the World Trade Center final at Lord’s in June, adding pressure to the competition.
They have won the last seven Tests at home against Pakistan.
Pakistan playing XI
Shan Masood (c), Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Muhammad Rizwan, Saud Shakeel, Salman Ali Agha, Aamir Jamal, Naseem Shah, Khurram Shehzad and Muhammad Abbas.
South Africa playing XI
Tony De Zorzi, Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickleton, Tristan Stubbs, Themba Bavuma (C), David Bedingham, Kyle Vereen, Marko Janssen, Kagiso Rabada, Dane Patterson, and Corbin Bush.