Du Plessis leads South African reply
View(s):Hashim Amla and A.B. de Villiers held fort to put on an unbeaten fourth wicket stand of 70 runs to take the Proteas to a comfortable 227 for 3 in reply to the West Indian first innings total of 329 before rain curtailed the final nine of the day at Nelands yesterday.
South African batsman and captain Hashim Amla plays a shot during the 2nd day of the third Test match between South Africa and the West Indies at Newlands cricket stadium in Cape Town on January 3, 2015 - AFP
At the end of the day, Amla was not out on 55 and Villiers was unbeaten on 32 facing some hostile West Indian bowling during the last session
Earlier Faf du Plessis also hit a solid half-century as South Africa made steady progress on the second day of the third and final Test.
The hosts suffered a setback when Dean Elgar was leg before wicket to Jason Holder for eight in the last over before lunch.
But Du Plessis and Alviro Petersen put on 56 for the second wicket before opening batsman Petersen was run out by a direct hit from Jermaine Blackwood at point for 42.
It was a cruel blow for Petersen, whose place is under threat after a string of modest scores.
Fast bowlers Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel took two wickets each as South Africa wrapped up the West Indian first innings inside the first hour.
Resuming at 276 for six, the West Indies lost their remaining four wickets amid a flurry of strokes.
Jerome Blackwood reached his third Test half-century with a cover drive for four off Steyn but was then trapped in front of his stumps with a full, swinging delivery after making top score of 56.
Jason Holder and Jerome Taylor both went for their shots before perishing to mistimed blows. Holder top-edged a pull and was caught at mid-on and Taylor was caught at fine leg when he hooked a ball from Morkel.
Suleiman Benn was last man out, driving Morkel to mid-off.
Steyn finished with four for 78 and Morkel two for 83.