Half-centuries from Hashim Amla and Francois du Plessis left South Africa in a healthy position at stumps on day two of the third Test against West Indies in Cape Town.
After taking the last four West Indies wickets to dismiss the tourists for 329 in the morning session, South Africa reached 227 for three before rain brought an early end to proceedings at Newlands.
Four of South Africa's top five made solid contributions, Du Plessis leading the way with 68 and Amla – who finished the day 55 not out - Alviro Petersen and AB de Villiers also among the runs with 42 and 32 not out respectively.
That left the Proteas trailing by only 102 runs heading into the third day, and the hosts will be optimistic of building a sizeable first-innings lead.
South Africa, 1-0 up in the three-match series, needed just 59 balls to claim the remaining West Indies wickets, with pacemen Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel taking two scalps each.
The tourists, having started the day on 276 for six, managed to add 53 runs during that time, with Jermaine Blackwood moving to 53 before falling lbw to Steyn, who finished with 4-78.
Petersen ensured South Africa got off to a decent start in their reply, dominating an opening stand of 48 before his partner Dean Elgar fell lbw to Jason Holder for eight in the over before lunch.
Petersen and Du Plessis added 56 for the second wicket before the opener was run out, and Du Plessis and Amla put on another half-century stand before the tourists made their third and final breakthrough of the day.
Du Plessis was the man to go, stumped by Denesh Ramdin giving spinner Sulieman Benn the charge.