At lunchtime, India was 79 for three in their second innings, with a 209-point advantage.
During an attritional phase of play, the tourists accumulated 63 runs for the cost of two wickets in 26 overs. On a pitch with a lot of bounce, the Indian batsmen were cautious, opting to leave deliveries they did not have to play.
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Nightwatchman Shardul Thakur was caught at third slip for ten runs by Kagiso Rabada, and first innings centurion KL Rahul was caught at first slip for 23 runs by Lungi Ngidi.
Virat Kohli, the Indian captain, survived a strong claim for leg before wicket from Kagiso Rabada soon before lunch. Kohli was not called out by umpire Marais Erasmus, and a South African review revealed a “umpire’s call” on height.
Kohli (18 not out) and Cheteshwar Pujara (12 not out) batted till lunch, with the latter being dropped at mid-on by Rabada off Ngidi with four runs on the board.