Proteas pair frustrate Aussies

The home side, who are chasing an improbable 546 to win the game, lost openers Neil McKenzie and Hashim Amla before tea, with an inspired Peter Siddle doing the damage, but the intact third-wicket stand saw no damage done in the final session and left them with realistic hopes of keeping the series alive.

There is also still an outside chance of the hosts winning the game with the target having now been reduced to 302 but there is no doubt Kallis, not out on 84, and De Villiers (68) will have their initial thoughts on batting the team to safety.

The Proteas began the chase confidently enough, reaching lunch at 35 without loss after visiting captain Ricky Ponting had declared Australia's second innings at 331 for five.

There was only one scare early on, which came when umpire Billy Bowden sent McKenzie on his way after giving him out leg before wicket off a Ben Hilfenhaus delivery.

However, after asking for the decision to be referred, the call was reversed by Steve Bucknor as the ball looked to be going over the stumps.

After the break, McKenzie and Amla, who was shifted one place up the order following captain Graeme Smith's broken finger, began steadily, raising the 50 partnership in the 19th over, before the former was out for 31.

A good ball from Siddle bowled just on the line of off stump nipped back and left the opener uncertain as he edged behind to Brad Haddin, ending a 63-run stand.

And the very next delivery, Kallis was enticed into playing at an away swinger that was edged to Marcus North, who reacted late and failed to hang on at first slip, but Siddle was rewarded for his fine spell of bowling when Amla lost his concentration and chased a wide seaming delivery that was snapped up by Ponting at second slip for 43.

But De Villiers and Kallis held firm and brought up the 50 stand off only 71 balls to leave their team 145 for two at tea and they continued to build on that momentum, going through the final session without losing any further wickets.