Facing tough conditions on Day 3 of the Boxing Day Test in Centurion, South African batsmen will have to dig in hard in their quest to chase down 149 runs against a highly talented Pakistani bowling attack, said Temba Bavuma. 

More than 148 runs have been overhauled only thrice during final innings in the history of Test match cricket in Pretoria, including Proteas' own 199-run matchwinning batting performance against Pakistan in 2007. 

But the 28-year-old right-hand batter has immense faith and confidence in hosts' batting prowess, as he said, "The pitch is a bit tricky, there is sideways movement. Centurion, as we know, can get a bit up and down, so there is something there for the bowlers. 

"The batsman will have to knuckle down. But you can definitely bat on it. You just have to have a good game-plan."

Bavuma, who struck an invaluable 53 in the first innings to help South Africa recover from 44/4 to 223 all out and take a significant 42-run lead, reiterated how the surface with exaggerated seam movement and slight uneven bounce is becoming increasingly difficult to bat on. 

"I thought the bowlers could get my number at any time. You just have to get into good position and when the bad ball presents itself, put it away. Hopefully, I don't have to put on my pads tomorrow. We want to kill off that target as soon as possible," he concluded. 

Earlier, South Africa led once again by Duanne Olivier(5/59) inflicted an alarming collapse over the visitors who succumbed to 190 all-out from once a strong position at 100/1 in the third innings. 

Pakistan will now have to bowl out of their skins to win this one. 

(Inputs from Reuters)