South Africa displayed some gritty performance on Friday as the tourists reached 105-4 at lunch on day three of the third Test against India in Nagpur.
Chasing a daunting target of 310, South Africa were reeling at 58-4 before captain Hashim Amla (28 not out) and Faf du Plessis (23 not out) steadied the ship by striking an unbeaten 47-run partnership for the fifth wicket.
Indian spin spearhead Ravichandran Ashwin continued to produce relentless performance as he removed Dean Elgar and AB de Villiers cheaply on their respective scores of 18 and nine.
South Africa still require 205 runs to level the four-match series and preserve their nine-year-old unbeaten streak in away series.
As many as 32 wickets had fallen so far over the first two days as spinners maintained a complete dominance on a dusty pitch.
India are aiming to seal the series after losing the preceding T20 and ODI series against South Africa. The hosts are currently leading the four-match series 1-0 following their 108-run win in the first Test in Mohali.
The second match between the two sides ended in a draw due to persistent rain and wet outfield.
