South Africa lose two wickets but lead swells against Pakistan

Both Hashim Amla and Quinton de Kock completed half-centuries on Sunday as South Africa continued to amass a sizeable lead over Pakistan on the third day of the third Test at the Wanderers, looking to complete a clean sweep of the series.

Amla scored 71 before gloving a rising delivery from Hasan Ali behind to wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed while de Kock was 77 not out as South Africa went to lunch on 232 for seven wickets, 309 runs ahead.

De Kock took just 49 balls to get to his half century and will continue after lunch along with Kagiso Rabada (four not out).

Pakistan did not take full advantage from a pitch cracking in places and offering uneven bounce as they took only two wickets in the morning session after South Africa came into bat on 135-5 overnight.

Amla completed his 41st Test half-century before perishing to a ball that found a crack and reared up to catch him by surprise.

Vernon Philander was trapped leg before wicket by a yorker from Mohammad Amir for 14 after helping to add to a total of 97 runs in the session at a brisk run rate of just under four per over.

With plenty of time left in the test, South Africa will likely look to continue batting and set Pakistan a near impossible target, mindful of the fact that Pakistan have scored more than 200 runs in only one of their five previous innings in the series.

South Africa scored 262 in their first innings of the third test with Pakistan replying with 185.