Markram's 102 and courageous Bavuma take Proteas to brink of WTC Final glory

FOR South Africa to have stood any chance in this World Test Championship final they were always going to need their senior players to shoulder the majority of the load.

- ZAAHIER ADAMS

Kagiso Rabada did his part with the spearhead claiming a match haul of 9/110 to leave the batters a target of 282 for their shot at glory.

Aiden Markram’s sublime 102 not out and a hobbling Temba Bavuma’s undefeated 65 have since taken over the baton with a brilliant unbroken second-wicket stand of 143 to put the Proteas within touching distance of lifting the golden ICC mace today.

The London sun shone splendidly down for the entire third day, which resulted in the most favourable batting conditions of the entire WTC Final, which left the Proteas' comfortably placed on 213/2, requiring just 69 runs for victory today.

After 28 wickets - 14 per day - over the course of the opening two days, the bowlers tasted success just four times across the 81 overs delivered on Friday.