John Nyumbu became the second Zimbabwean to record a five-wicket haul on Test debut but South Africa still put themselves in the driving seat on day three of the one-off Test today.
Nyumbu sank to his knees and pointed to the heavens after taking figures of 5 for 157 in a South African total of 397 all out, which gave the tourists a lead of 141 on first innings.
Morne Morkel then dismissed opener Hamilton Masakadza before Zimbabwe reached stumps on 28 for one in their second innings, still trailing by 113 runs.
Only fast bowler Andy Blignaut had taken five wickets on Test debut for Zimbabwe, but Nyumbu chipped away throughout the day to add the scalps of Faf du Plessis, Dale Steyn and JP Duminy to the two wickets he had picked up on Sunday.
Du Plessis was out for 98 shortly before the lunch interval after a 264-ball innings, ending a 119-run stand with Quinton de Kock for the fifth wicket.
De Kock also missed out on a century when he chipped left-arm spinner Sean Williams to midwicket to depart for 81, having showed the most intent out of the South Africans.
His dismissal prompted extreme caution from the batsmen who followed, as JP Duminy and Vernon Philander added 42 runs in 27 overs before Philander was bowled by Williams on the stroke of tea.
"It was important for us to make sure we got as close to 400 as we could and the only way you could do that was to spend time in the middle," said Du Plessis.
