Johannesburg: Chasing a stiff target of 458 runs for victory after India scored 421 in their second innings, South Africa were 138 for two at the end of fourth day's play, even as the match was heading towards an exciting finish here on Saturday. South Africa need 320 to win while India need to take eight more wickets to create an upset.
Alviro Petersen (76) and Faf du Plessis (10) were at the crease at stumps on another absorbing day's play which has set the stage for a thrilling finish with all three results a possibility.
It's a tough ask for South Africa as no team has ever successfully chased down a target of 458 in Test history so far. The highest successful run chase in Test cricket has been achieved by West Indies who scored 418 for seven to beat Australia in St Johns in 2003.
Meanwhile with the pitch showing no signs of any rapid deterioration, the Indians may find the going tough to push for a 1-0 series lead in the first Test as the strong South African batting line-up will look to bat out the entire day to avoid the embarrassment of a defeat at home.
Earlier, resuming at the overnight score of 284 for two, the Indians rode on the marathon 222-run partnership between Cheteshwar Pujara (153) and Virat Kohli (96) for the third wicket to take a substantial lead. Kohli was unlucky to miss out on a twin century as he was out for 96 in the opening session today after hitting 119 in India's first innings.
