Aiden Markram was 19 runs short of a Test century at lunch on Friday as South Africa reached 180-5 on the second day of the first Test after Pakistan’s first innings total of 211.

Markram was under pressure after a series of poor results for South Africa, but showed his value to the team with a chanceless knock that left South Africa 31 runs behind with five wickets in hand at Centurion.

He will continue after lunch with Kyle Verreynne (0 not out) on 81 and look to give the hosts a lead as they chase the win that would secure them a place in the final of the World Test Championship next June.

But two wickets for Pakistan in the Friday morning session kept them firmly in the contest as both captain Temba Bavuma and David Bedingham were dismissed in the first session.

South Africa were 82-3 overnight, with Markram and Bavuma putting on a further 54 runs before the skipper was dismissed, giving a strong outside edge to an Aamer Jamal pass to find himself 31 behind.

Bedingham typified the attack in his short time at the crease, scoring 30 runs from 33 balls before Naseem Shah added an extra bounce to ensure he outdueled Kamran Ghulam at slips.

Markram was on 47 overnight and quickly reached the 50th run mark in the third over of the morning as Pakistan toiled for the first hour before they made a breakthrough.

South Africa must win one of the two-match series against Pakistan to reach the WTC final at Lords in June, adding further pressure to the competition. They have won their last seven home Tests against Pakistan.