Summary

  • Third Test, day four, Cape Town

  • South Africa bat for almost 90 minutes on day four before Breetzke (43) pulls to fine leg

  • South Africa resumed on 140-4, leading by 40

  • Breetzke 19* overnight, Rickelton 8*

  • Series level at 1-1

Have your say on South Africa v Australia

  1. SA 175-4published at 64.2 overs

    Lead by 75

    Matthew Breetzke drivesImage source, Getty Images

    Gorgeous shot from Matthew Breetzke.

    Overpitched by Pat Cummins and the right-hander drives elegantly through extra cover for four.

  2. SA 171-4published at 64 overs

    Lead by 71

    Back-to-back maidens since drinks with Nathan Lyon going over the wicket to the left-hander Ryan Rickelton.

    The South Africa batter is happy to pad up to anything pitching outside leg. Plenty of time left in this game, he's in no rush and now isn't the time to take risks.

  3. SA 171-4published at 63 overs

    Lead by 71

    Maiden over to start from Pat Cummins as Matthew Breetzke blocks the last delivery solidly.

    The Australia skipper has now bowled 363 balls since he last took a wicket.

  4. Postpublished at 09:35 GMT

    I think Simon Harmer would have something to say about that, Trevor.

    Scoring quickly on such a slow surface is not going to be easy either, especially as it starts to deteriorate further.

    Anyway, Pat Cummins is going to bowl the first over after drinks. Cooper Connolly's spell last just one over.

  5. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 09:33 GMT

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    I think SA will need to set Aus at least 375 on last day to have a chance of winning this Test match.

    Trevor H, Clitheroe

  6. drinks break

    Drinks - SA 171-4published at 62 overs

    Lead by 71

    That's a ripper!

    Nathan Lyon has found some rhythm now. He flights one beautifully to entice the drive, lands it in the rough and the ball turns sharply through the gate as Matthew Breetzke goes at it.

    Just misses the timbers and the bounce means Alex Carey can't take it. It's a bye when it could so easily have been a wicket.

    Time for drinks after an engrossing first hour at Newlands.

  7. SA 170-4published at 61 overs

    Lead by 70

    A very welcome over for South Africa.

    Nine runs from it as Cooper Connolly struggles to find his length.

    After the boundary first ball, five singles follow and the lead is up to 70.

  8. SA 165-4published at 60.1 overs

    Lead by 65

    That's what Matthew Breetzke has been waiting for!

    Nearly an hour into the day, it's been tough going so when Cooper Connolly offers up a long hop outside off, the Proteas right-hander can't believe his luck - thumped through the off side for four.

    Not a great start for the Australia's left-arm spinner.

  9. SA 161-4published at 60 overs

    Lead by 61

    Frustration for Ryan Rickelton as he misses out on a ball drifting down leg.

    All it needed was a little tickle and that was four.

    Maiden over from Nathan Lyon.

  10. SA 161-4published at 59 overs

    Lead by 61

    A pair of singles from Josh Hazlewood's latest and while scoring runs still doesn't seem straightforward on this surface, the threat from the seamers feels minimal with the ball nearly 60 overs old.

    The spin of Nathan Lyon at the other end is another matter.

  11. SA 159-4published at 58 overs

    Lead by 59

    Suddenly, things just get a bit lively as Nathan Lyon lands a few balls in the rough outside Matthew Breetzke's off stump and causes some problems.

    The first is a touch short but just catches the footmark and rips back sharply to cramp Breetzke as he shaped to cut.

    Out of the rough again next ball and there's an appeal for bat-pad as the ball loops up to short leg. Nothing done.

    Breetzke then gets a big stride in and is struck on the pad again. Australia don't think he's playing a shot and appeal for lbw. Not given and, despite a good chat, opt against reviewing.

    One from the over and that's a sign of things to come.

  12. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 09:13 GMT

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    I can't recall being this gripped on a series not involving England since Australia vs India in COVID.

    Joel, Derby

  13. SA 158-4published at 57 overs

    Lead by 58

    Maiden over from Josh Hazlewood as he goes at Ryan Rickelton from round the wicket.

    Another bouncer is comfortably ducked and it remains slow going for South Africa on a slow surface.

  14. SA 158-4published at 56 overs

    Lead by 58

    OK, there's the first ball to really grip and turn this morning from Nathan Lyon.

    Cue the "oooh, Gary!" shouts from the fielders around the bat despite Ryan Rickelton leaving it well alone.

    The next ball is a drag-down, though, and Rickelton thumps it to deep cover for the only run of the over.

    Lyon gets the last ball to catch the footmark and turn sharply into Matthew Breetzke but the right-hander, who has been very chatty this morning, keeps it out.

  15. SA 157-4published at 55 overs

    Lead by 57

    Josh Hazlewood replaces Mitchell Starc but there's still not a huge amount happening for the bowlers.

    Three from the over, all for Ryan Rickelton, with two coming as he guides the ball just wide of gully.

    Nathan Lyon will continue from the other end.

  16. SA 154-4published at 54 overs

    Lead by 54

    I'd agree with that, Ant. Anything over 150 could make for an interesting chase but Australia would still go in as big favourites.

    Three from Nathan Lyon's latest, with some good, positive running earning Matthew Breetzke a quick single.

    Half an hour into day four and it's been a steady start, just 14 runs and no wickets but the situation and the tension has made it extremely watchable.

  17. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 08:58 GMT

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    200 feels like the lead we all think will cause Australia problems, but with turn and uneven bounce, what is the minimum we think SA need? 120? 150? I think anything 150-180 and this will be a tricky 4th innings chase...

    Ant, Gloucester

  18. SA 151-4published at 53 overs

    Lead by 51

    Change of angle from Mitchell Starc a couple of balls into the over, going round to Matthew Breetzke.

    The Aussie quick bangs in another bouncer soon after and Breetkze easily ducks under it then stays on his haunches looking at Starc.

    Eventually he gets up and sticks his tongue out at Starc. The bowler isn't overly impressed and there are a few words at the end of the over.

    That didn't take long.

  19. SA 151-4published at 52 overs

    Lead by 51

    Top shot from Ryan Rickelton.

    He goes back, deep into his crease to create the length and punches Nathan Lyon through the covers for the first boundary of the morning.

  20. SA 147-4published at 51 overs

    Lead by 47

    The umpire steps in for a quick word with Mitchell Starc, I'm not sure if that is to do with his follow through - he's close to that danger area - or the way he kicks at the crease.

    Either way, if Starc is trying to do anything to help Nathan Lyon, it's worth remembering that South Africa spinner Simon Harmer could also benefit later in the game.