The BLACKCAPS halted Hashim Amla’s maiden Test century at 149 but the South African then watched his colleagues continue to accumulate runs at Newlands.
Over 1000 runs have been scored after four day of the second Test on a Cape Town pitch which has proven to be fertile ground for batsmen.
There was little let up on the penultimate day, which ended through bad light with the hosts on 427 for five.
Ashwell Prince (70) and Mark Boucher (26) were the latest beneficiaries of a track which proved as bountiful as its predecessor in the first Test at Centurion was barren.
Daniel Vettori ended Amla’s debut hundred one run short of another landmark, trapping the Nashua Dolphins player lbw with the 317th ball he faced in almost seven hours in the middle.
Vettori and Jeetan Patel were the mainstays of a BLACKCAPS attack which slowed but could not end a run chase occurring in highly favourable conditions.
All-rounder Jacob Oram accounted for Jacques Kallis, ending a third-wicket stand with Amla of 144, while Patel took his third wicket later in the day to return AB De Villiers (13).
The Proteas resumed on Sunday at 155 for two, in pursuit of the BLACKCAPS’ imposing 593.
Amla built on his maiden 50 in the morning, doubling his overnight score to reach three figures in only his fourth Test.
Amla received typically resolute support from Kallis whose wicket was the only one to fall before the meal break.
Kallis made 71 before top-edging to Chris Martin at mid-on, who took a simple catch. The innings provided the home vice-captain with 8,000 Test runs, becoming the 17th batsman to do so.
The local hero fittingly reached the landmark in his 100th Test for his nation, on his home ground. He played one Test for the ICC World XI last year.
Prince replaced Kallis, and helped the Proteas to 361 for five at tea, reaching 38 at the end of the afternoon.
However, he first lost Amla, and then De Villiers, with the last ball before tea. Patel’s third Test wicket came courtesy of a catch at short leg by Michael Papps.
Boucher and Prince added 66 after the break, pushing their side past the follow-on mark before the light worsened.
Play will once again start at 9.30am local time (7.30pm NZT), with the BLACKCAPS aiming to earn the chance to bat again and perhaps even force a result.
