England require 197 to win the final Test at The Oval after heavy rain ended day four prematurely with them on 0-0.
A comfortable consolation win looked likely as South Africa lost Hashim Amla (76) in the third full over to stand three down and still three runs behind.
Jacques Kallis and Ashwell Prince also fell before lunch and when the seventh wicket went South Africa's lead was 96.
But AB de Villiers (97) and Paul Harris shared a defiant 95 until both departed within eight balls in a total of 318.
England finished the day in control and will be confident of finishing the series at 2-1 by securing victory, with weather forecasts good for Monday.
But for around an hour after tea concern began to build as the South Africans gave themselves more and more runs with which to test their hosts.
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