Leeds, Aug 6: An unexpectedly thrilling final session to the second test is in prospect at Headingley after South Africa declared on 258-9, setting England a target of 253 to win from 39 overs on Monday.
The tourists collapsed from 120-0, after Jacques Rudolph and Graeme Smith had hit 69 and 52 respectively.
The game looked to be meandering toward a draw until part-time offspinner Kevin Pietersen took 3-52 to remove South Africa's top three batsman.
Stuart Broad, who finished with 5-69, then took four wickets from 20 balls -- including two in as many balls -- to reduce South Africa to 237-7 at tea.
James Anderson caught and bowled Dale Steyn. When Morne Morkel soon after holed out to Broad, South Africa decided to declare, meaning all four results are still possible.