Kirsten has survived 11 hours on the "lottery" pitch Full scorecard

Kirsten spent more than 11 hours at the crease and scored an aggregate 190 runs in this pivotal, penultimate match of a series level at 1-1.

The durable left-hander contributed another 60 as South Africa added 164 for five to a first-innings lead of 35 by stumps on Saturday - and admitted he, like everyone else, had needed luck to survive.

"In 93 Test matches I have played on some interesting wickets - but in the last couple of years this is up there. It has become a bit of a lottery," he said.

"There is uneven bounce, and it is going through the top and keeping low. It is a hard wicket for batting.

"I said in the first innings you need a bit of luck on there. If we can get 250 we would be happy with that."

In a low-scoring Test, one good stand can win you the game Gary Kirsten

Kirsten believes South Africa are now closing in on a score that would be enough to put them one-up in the series again.

"We probably need just one more decent stand, and then that should be all right for us," he said.

"It is still fairly even, and in a low-scoring Test match one good stand can go and win you the game."

Andrew Flintoff managed a near run-a-ball 55 for England in their first-innings 307.

The Lancastrian's effort ensured England at least stayed in with an outside chance of victory in a match which looks sure to have a positive outcome.

"It has the makings of a great Test match," Flintoff said.

"If we can come out tomorrow and chip out a few more fairly quickly it means we should not be chasing too many in the fourth innings."