Malan lends SA hope in pursuit of 438

Pieter Malan compiled a gutsy undefeated 63 to provide South Africa with a platform in a substantial chase of 438 on Day 4 of the Cape Town Test. England need eight more wickets to draw level in the series, whereas the home side require a further 312 runs to register a potentially memorable victory.

South Africa began the final session with all 10 wickets in tact. The pair of Dean Elgar and Malan, who had paddled through the afternoon session, continued to tire out the English bowlers with their compact, resolute defence. However, Joe Denly, the part-timer, started to cause Elgar the odd problem by pitching his leg-breaks on the rough patches outside the off-stump.

It was in the 29th over that he dismissed Elgar, nicking him off to Jos Buttler behind the stumps. Elgar immediately called for the review, but RTS suggested a small spike and the decision stayed with the on-field umpire. Elgar, however, wasn't convinced as he walked back to the pavilion shaking his head in dismay. Despite losing his opening partner, Malan continued to play with a calm head on his shoulders and reached his maiden Test fifty with a single off Dom Bess.

Zubayr Hamza, who came out to bat at No.3, had a few issues, especially while facing Ben Stokes' barrage of short balls. The pressure seemed to have gotten to Hamza, as he chased at a back of a length ball length delivery from Stokes only to be beaten. Later in the day, James Anderson and Sam Curran generated a hint of swing with the old ball. In the dying moments of the day, Anderson produced some magic out of nowhere and removed Hamza with the one that straightened off the wicket to kiss the outside edge through to the wicketkeeper.

Earlier in the day, England's late shot their lead up to 437, led by the magnificent Ben Stokes, who indulged in a flurry of shots, including reverse sweeps, lofts and switch-hits to compose a brilliant 47-ball 72 to give England the chance to declare early. Dominic Sibley also compiled a stubborn undefeated 133 - an incredibly precocious knock for a maiden Test hundred. Jos Buttler contributed with a cameo too, before the visitors finally declared the innings after the Lunch break.

Brief scores: England 269 (Ollie Pope 61; Kagiso Rabada 3-68) and 391/8 decl. (Dominic Sibley 133*, Joe Root 61; Anrich Nortje 3-61) lead South Africa 223 (Dean Elgar 88, Rassie van der Dussen 68; James Anderson 5-40) and 126/2 (Pieter Malan 63*; James Anderson 1-18) by 312 runs. South Africa need 312 runs to win; England need 8 wickets to win.