South Africa reached 144 for one at stumps on the second day of the third Test in reply to India's 414 all out.
Graeme Smith was unbeaten on 76 and Hashim Amla reached his 50 after 41 overs of the hosts' first innings. The Proteas lost AB De Villiers when the score was on 14, the opener caught behind off the bowling of Shanthakumaran Sreesanth.
But Amla joined Smith and together they posted an unbroken 130-run partnership to steer South Africa into a commanding position. Smith looked particularly impressive and after having a poor series against the tourists, he struck his second consecutive Test match half-century. His 76 came off 111 balls and included 12 boundaries.
After a nervy start Amla played excellently and reached 50 off the penultimate over of the day by striking a four through mid-wicket. It marked his third-highest Test score and came at the same ground where he struck 149 against New Zealand last year in his only Test century to date.
India bowled well but lacked penetration on a flat track, much like the one South Africa toiled on during their first day in the field. Spinner Anil Kumble did trouble the batsmen as he bowled into the dry patches outside the right-handed batsmen's leg stump.
This dry area will only get worse as the game goes on and the effect it might have on the left-handed batsmen could be telling.
Earlier on in the day, India lost their last seven wickets for just 145 runs and were bowled out 40 minutes before tea. Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly both hit half-centuries while Virender Sehwag contributed a useful 40 for the tourists.
The three-match series is currently tied at 1-1.
