England head to the Wanderers on Monday needing 10 South African wickets to convert a lead of 465 into a memorable series win.
Captain Joe Root declined to enforce the follow-on after establishing a 217-run first-innings lead, top-scoring with 58 as his side added another 248 to their opponents’ nominal chase.
There are two full days left to settle matters but the momentum is firmly with the tourists, who will be hoping the combination of scoreboard pressure and a well-rested pace attack help bring about an early finish and a 3-1 triumph in the Basil D’Oliveira Trophy.
Mark Wood will be looking to take a starring role again after completing figures of five for 46 on the third morning, while England have four other seamers queuing up to play their part.
Big number
Wood’s bowling average for his eight wickets in the last three innings.
What they said
Fan service
Billy Cooper, the Barmy Army’s trumpet player for the past 16 years, is hanging up his horn after this match. His musical bursts have accompanied many of England’s best on-field moments in that time and provided the backing for many a favourite chant in the stands. Joe Root showed the team’s appreciation by delivering a signed shirt during the lunch interval in recognition of Cooper’s efforts
Faf’s final stand?
South Africa’s fans already know Vernon Philander is retiring at the end of the match, and the veteran will do so having torn his hamstring in his last innings as a bowler. But speculation is also rife that captain Faf du Plessis is also ready to call time on his red-ball career. He has one more knock before finalising any such decision and will be desperate to make it a good one, regardless of his future plans.
England back Buttler
Jos Buttler is coming under increasing pressure for his place as England’s wicketkeeper batsman, with Jonny Bairstow and Ben Foakes snapping at his heels. He averages a paltry 16.42 in the series but assistant coach Paul Collingwood spoke up for him after his latest failure. “We know what a world-class player he is. Players like that you’ve got to back to the hilt, simple as that,” he said.
De Kock at the double
When Quinton De Kock held on to an edge from Ollie Pope he brought up his 200th dismissal as a Test wicketkeeper – 189 catches and 11 stumpings. He became the 18th player to reach the landmark but remains a long way behind the world record-holder. His current head coach Mark Boucher completed a staggering 555 in his playing days.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here