Pollock took six wickets to bowl England out for 118 Match report

The pace bowler took six wickets to bowl England out for 118, leaving the tourists chasing 202 for victory.

But a brilliant display from the home side's young pace attack cut South Africa down to 63-5 when bad light brought an early close.

"It is a vital stage in the series and a really important day for us tomorrow," said former captain Pollock.

"When things get down the final straight it's all about pressure and who deals with it."

Pollock's 62 on Saturday was vital in keeping the tourists within reach of England

And his 6-39 - the best figures by a South African at Trent Bridge - put the game back in the balance and took him to 299 career Test wickets.

"While I was at the crease I thought this was my kind of wicket," Pollock told BBC Five Live.

Pollock, who is set to miss next week's fourth Test to be at the birth of his first child, began the fourth day with just nine wickets in the series, including Marcus Trescothick on Saturday evening.

"I'm happy with the way I've bowled so far; I haven't had the reward but I've been beating the bat and getting lbw shouts," he added.

"You've got to keep believing it's going to turn and today it did."

There's no reason why we can't come out on top England debutant James Kirtley

Key to South Africa's efforts on the final day will be the performance of sixth wicket pair Mark Boucher and Neil McKenzie, who turned the match around with their 129-run stand in the first innings.

"Having lost five wickets we're on the back foot but we have two guys out there who did well in the first innings and know how to play on that wicket," Pollock added.

"We've still got the belief that we can do it."

England fast bowler James Kirtley, who took the first two wickets to fall in the South African second innings, said he had learned from watching Pollock.

"Pace has its bonuses but Shaun Pollock showed that hitting the right areas is the right thing to do," said the debutant, who dismissed Graeme Smith and Jacques Rudolph, both lbw.

"I've been waiting a long time to play Test cricket so to be out there is a dream come true for me.

"If we stick to our processes, keep the same mood and tempo there's no reason why we can't come out on top."