First innings hero Matt Renshaw hit a brisk 82 before Australia declared their second innings, setting South Africa a target of 421 on the fourth day of the first Test at Kingsmead on Monday.
Renshaw’s attacking 99-ball innings was in vivid contrast to his patient 190 in the first innings as Australia set out to score quickly to give themselves enough time to bowl South Africa out.
A nominal 144 overs remained in the match but bad light cut 49 overs from the first three days of play and was likely to be a factor again.
Renshaw, 30, was in sight of a second century in the match when he was out to a remarkable juggling return catch by a diving Keshav Maharaj which needed to be confirmed by an umpire’s review.
Australia captain Pat Cummins was next in and he thrashed four sixes in scoring 32 not out off 12 balls before declaring.