King Kallis Reigns Supreme

While the majority of the cricketing world turns its attention to the Ashes, the African and Asian continent remained gripped by a series that will be decided by the final day’s play.

Jacques Kallis was colossal on yet another topsy-turvy day between the world’s best two sides. The man that has broken a ton of records to date, once again proved why he is considered among the elite of the game.

Kallis battled the challenges posed by an in-form Indian bowling attack on a wearing pitch, as well as the constraints and pain of a side strain, to become the only South African to score two centuries in a Test at home.

India's performance during the first session of this gripping day fourth day was aggressive, but they could not have been more passive in the second and third.

The right-handed batsman brought up his 40th test century off 228 deliveries, which moved him one ahead of Ricky Ponting into sole possession of second place on the all-time list behind Sachin Tendulkar who has scored 51.

This South African revival was complemented by a gritty Mark Boucher half century that could not have come at a better time as critics once again begin to question his abilities.

Zaheer Khan displayed a lack of fitness as the day wore on, Harbhajan Singh remained subdued and Ishant Sharma's line and length for the day were nothing short of amateur.

Harbhajan finished with 7/120 to add some respectability on a personal note, however considering the comeback this day belonged to one man.

Kallis’s partnerships of 103 with Mark Boucher, and 54 with useful tail ender Dale Steyn came on the back of Indian bowling momentum and has now effectively set the hosts up in a dominating position for the final day.

The stand of 46 with Morne Morkel rubbed salt into the wounds of an Indian side that received little sympathy from a passionate Newlands faithful.

“After Sachin Tendulkar, he (Kallis) is the greatest player in the world,” Indian spin bowler Harbhajan Singh said of the veteran all-rounder after the match.

“I've not seen many people bat the way he did in difficult conditions. He has the technique to play in all conditions and he is a great batsman."

Boucher will be relived to have produced when it counted coming out on a potential pair. The determined keeper displayed all the fighting qualities he has become known for over the past 15 years, as he scored 55 before being trapped leg-before by a delivery from Sachin Tendulkar which kept low.

At one stage in the morning session Harbhajan had figures of 4/10 off five overs as he threatened to derail the home side on a deteriorating Newlands pitch.

He trapped Alviro Petersen lbw before bowling Hashim Amla- whose attempted sweep shot resulted in him playing the ball onto his stumps.

AB de Villiers continued his poor run of form in the Cape, scoring 13 off 58 before he shouldered arms to a delivery from Zaheer Khan, which straightened and demolished his stumps.

Kallis watched his partners go on the slog but, as so many times in the past, remained cool, calm and collected.

A rather subdued single to square leg off Harbhajan brought up his 40th century, and with it moved him of Ricky Ponting's tally of 39.

This was a special innings from a special cricketer.

This game is literally balancing on a knife edge.

South Africa have brought it back to life to ignite the argument that five day cricket is far from dead.

With a pitch offering movement to the world’s best seaming attack, as well as spin to a hungry Paul Harris, expect fireworks on the final day.