South Africa batsman Herschelle Gibbs believes his side can build a winning position with two days to play in the first Test with Pakistan in Centurion.
The home side faltered somewhat from 356-4 to 417 all out, a lead of 104 that Pakistan reduced to one at 103-2.
"We're a bit short of where we wanted to be and the match is evenly poised," said Gibbs, who was dismissed for 94.
"We've got a lot of work to do but if we restrict them to a lead of 200 I'm sure the guys will be confident."
Gibbs shared a dominant fifth wicket partnership of 213 with Ashwell Prince, who was involved in a controversial incident when he had scored 126.
Pakistan were convinced they had dismissed the left-hander when Shahid Nazir scooped up a caught and bowled, but the batsman stood his ground and, to the dismay of the tourists, the third umpire returned a not out verdict.
"I saw the ball going into his hand," Prince said. "But then I saw it go out of his hand as well and I wasn't sure whether it touched the ground."
The obdurate Prince batted for almost six hours for his 138 from 214 balls, which featured 19 fours.
"It was one of the more fluent innings," he said. "I hit three or four boundaries in my first 20 runs, and that saw me off to a good start."
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