South Africa have Australia on the ropes in Gqeberha, and the Aussies need a day five escape act to save the second Test.
The Proteas are on the verge of something special at home. Day five of the second Test in Gqeberha begins with Australia in deep trouble and South Africa firmly in control.
Australia were made to follow on yesterday, a rare and humbling position for a side of their standing. Things got worse in the second innings, when they lost four more wickets. Even with that resistance, they still trail by 170 runs, so the tourists are batting for survival as much as for the scoreboard.
Play starts at 9.45am local time, and the equation is simple. Australia need a gritty, patient rearguard, with partnerships built over long sessions and a refusal to give the South African attack anything. The Proteas need to keep the pressure on, find the breakthroughs and finish the job in front of their own supporters.
The visitors have to bat out the day, and the hosts have to make them pay for every loose moment. Expect a tense, attritional final day with plenty of drama.
