South Africa managed to shade day one of the third Test against the West Indies as they reduced the tourists to 276-6 at the close at Cape Town.
Denesh Ramdin won the toss and elected to bat, and his side made steady progress in the first two sessions of the day to reach 172-4 at tea, with Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Jermaine Blackwood at the crease.
However, in the first over after the break Chanderpaul departed for just nine when he was stumped by AB de Villiers off the bowling of Simon Harmer.
Chanderpaul's dismissal brought Ramdin to the crease and he along with Blackwood managed to steady the innings to guide his side past the 200-run mark.
Both batsmen showed patience at the crease to slowly edge their side into a strong position against the spin of Harmer, while De Villiers rotated his pace bowlers at the opposite end.
The pair brought up their 50-partnership off 82 deliveries and quickly passed the 250-run mark, before Ramdin notched his half-century for the 11th time in his Test career.
However, Ramdin fell just before the close of play when he was caught and bowled by Dale Steyn for 53.
Blackwood held out to finish the day unbeaten on 45 with Jason Holder at the crease with four wickets remaining to build a competitive total in their first innings.
Simon Sinclair
