PERTH, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 07: Kagiso Rabada of South Africa reacts after a delivery during day five of the First Test match between Australia and South Africa at the WACA on November 7, 2016 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

India and South Africa have traded blows in the third and final Test at Newlands in Cape Town, with the series sitting at 1-1 and the Freedom Trophy up for grabs.

Virat Kohli's fighting innings of 79 revived India's chances of salvaging the Test match as he notched up his highest Test score since 2019.

Kohli's knock led India to a total of 223, while South African spearhead Kagiso Rabada took 4/73 to edge the Proteas slightly in front of the game.

 

Indian openers KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal made a watchful start, despite playing on a pitch that favoured the seamers for most of the day, and scored at just under three runs an over - 0/31 after 11 overs. But in the space of two overs, both openers were removed (Rahul 12 runs and Agarwal 15 runs), with Duanne Olivier and Kagiso each taking a wicket. That left the tourists at 2/75 at lunch.

A steady 62-run partnership between Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli steered momentum back in favour of India, before Marco Jansen had Pujara caught behind for 43. Ajinkya Rahane came and went quickly, caught behind for nine off the bowling of Rabada.

But Kohli remained steady at the other end, in one of his finest "non-century innings" while he continued the search for his first Test hundred since late 2019.

Rishabh Pant put up a fight with 27 runs of his own, but little resistance was shown from there, with Ravichandran Ashwin falling for two runs and Shardul Thakur for 12. With wickets falling, Kohli accelerated, amassing a total of 12 fours and one six in his innings. He eventually lost his wicket to the bowling of Rabada on 79, with his side bundled out for 223 shortly after.

Rabada led the bowling for South Africa, taking four wickets, while Jansen took three, alongside one each to Olivier, Lungi Ngidi and Keshav Maharaj.

South Africa were sent in to negotiate eight overs on the evening of Day one, which proved to be too long as they lost the critical wicket of Dean Elgar, who nicked off to Pujara in the slips off the bowling of Jasprit Bumrah for three runs.

Despite the late casualty, former South African fast bowler Shaun Pollock believes the Proteas are slightly ahead of the game.

"I think South Africa are slightly ahead. I think they’ll be really happy at having bowled India out for 223. At one stage India were 90-odd with just two wickets down and Kohli was looking set. So they’ve pulled it back and got all 10 for 223," Pollock said on SuperSport's post-match broadcast.

"The only blow for me, from a South African point of view would be Dean Elgar. He’s been a rock for them this series. Twice we’ve seen him dig in and get a really big score. I think that will be the only disappointment."

A dominant morning on Day two by either team could sway the fate of the Test match in their direction as India look to make early inroads by way of wickets, while South Africa aim to pile on the runs.

Rabada, speaking in a post-match press conference, said that there's still a bit of nip and some swing in the pitch.

"It's a typical Newlands pitch. There is definitely a lot for the bowlers to work with," he said.

"We have to bat out of our skin. When the ball gets older it becomes easier, so it is about absorbing pressure."

Aidan Markram, not out on eight, has struggled recently and houses an average of just 13 this series. A century from Markram, or by Keegan Petersen, Temba Bavuma or Rassie van der Dussen could be what takes the game further in South Africa's favour.

Indian batting coach Vikram Rathour said the team's total of 223 was below par, before indulging that the bowlers may have to rescue the team's fortunes.

"We should have scored 60, 70 runs more. They bowled a good spell but there were some soft dismissals," he said in a post-match press conference.

“We have the bowling. If we bring the same intensity tomorrow we have the bowling to defend this."

Bumrah took the first wicket of the innings on Day one, which may just be what's needed to kickstart a deadly spell on Day two. So far this series, he has taken just seven wickets, while fellow seamers Shardul Thakur and Mohammed Shami have taken 10 and eleven respectively. A solid first hour of seam bowling from India could see them drag themselves back into a dominant position.

With the game advanced by way of wickets taken (11) and a favourable weather forecast, a result looks likely, and it could be one of the most momentous victories for either side.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 05: Dean Elgar of South Africa bats during day three of the First Test match between Australia and South Africa at the WACA on November 5, 2016 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

South African captain Dean Elgar described this Test match as the "biggest Test they have had in 10-15 years".

"Beating the world No.1 team, even though it is in your back garden is going to bespeak massive amounts for our playing group going forward and the Proteas badge," he said.

Meanwhile, Virat Kohli's side will be searching for their first-ever Test series victory in South Africa, following on from other strong performances overseas - including a series draw in England and a series victory in Australia within the last 12 months.