Jacques Kallis and Ashwell Prince steered South Africa to a series-clinching five-wicket win over Pakistan on the third day of the third and final Test at Newlands yesterday.
Kallis (51) and Prince (59 not out) came together when South Africa were wobbling at 39 for four in their quest for a target of 161 on a tricky pitch.
They put on 117 for the fifth wicket before Kallis was bowled by Shahid Nazir when just five runs were needed for victory.
South Africa won the series 2-1.
Kallis and Prince batted with extreme caution early on against excellent bowling by Mohammad Asif and Danish Kaneria before picking up the scoring rate when Asif tired and Pakistan had to use their back-up bowlers.
Asif took two early wickets, dismissing South African captain Graeme Smith and Hashim Amla, to put the home side under pressure.
When Asif was rested half an hour before lunch he had bowled a spell of 11 overs in which he took two wickets for six runs, while South Africa had advanced by just 18 runs in 22.5 overs from their overnight total of 36 for two.
The value of Asif's bowling was shown when he was replaced by Mohammad Sami, whose second ball was punched by Kallis off the back foot through the covers for the first boundary of the day.
Kallis drove the next ball for another four. They were the only boundaries hit during the morning session.
Asif struck with his fourth ball of the morning when Smith advanced down the pitch and tried to force him to the leg-side, missing the ball to be given out leg before.
Hashim Amla was caught behind off Asif four overs later for three.
Kallis and Prince played cautiously, taking 128 minutes and 190 balls to post a 50 partnership.
Asif was less effective after lunch, when he bowled five overs for 18 runs, and the scoring rate picked up, with Kallis and Prince scoring their second 50 off 72 balls.
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