Harare, Zimbabwe: South Africa forged ahead in the one-off test in Zimbabwe after a century stand by Faf du Plessis and Quinton de Kock helped the top-ranked team to a 22-run lead at lunch on the third day on Monday.
Du Plessis fell for 98 but De Kock was 75 not out as South Africa reached 278-5 in reply to Zimbabwe's first innings total of 256 at Harare Sports Club. Their partnership was worth 119.
Du Plessis hit 11 fours and was on the brink of a fourth test century when he fell just before lunch to give John Nyumbu one of his three wickets on debut. De Kock was approaching his first test hundred, hitting four fours and a six in a measured innings on a slow pitch.
