The Proteas need some more 438-magic if they want to win the second Test against England at Newlands.
Set a target of 438 for the win, the Proteas will have to set a new world record for the highest successful run-chase in a fourth innings if they want to be victorious and take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the four-Test series.
But it’s a target that will be familiar to the national team, having famously smashed 438/9 in an ODI against Australia back in 2006 to set a new world record for the highest successful run-chase in 50-over cricket.
For that to happen, however, coach Mark Boucher’s men will be hoping to have a much better start to Day Five than the one they enjoyed on Monday.
Starting the day on 218/4, England added 173 runs to their overnight score with Ben Stokes adding a quickfire 72 off 47 balls to declare on 391/8 and basically take the game away from their hosts.
%%%twitter https://twitter.com/hashtag/ProteaFire?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ProteaFire #SAvENG pic.twitter.com/94h5LG9r4m
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA)
But the Proteas aren’t giving up on achieving the impossible and started their quest off with a bang through openers Dean Elgar and Pieter Malan.
The pair scored 71 before Elgar was caught behind off Joe Denly for 34.
Malan soldiered on and scored his first half-century of his Test career (unbeaten on 63) on his home ground, while Zubayr Hamza (18) lost his wicket in the final over of the day’s play.
Malan will be joined by Keshav Maharaj (2*) when play resumes on Tuesday with SA on 126/2.