South Africa is 69 runs short of creating history by claiming the ICC World Test Championship and bagging a prize money of $3.6 million. They are targeting 282 runs in the final innings at Lord's and reached 213/2 on Day 3.

Aiden Markram remains undefeated on 102, and the captain, , is not out on 65. Both of them have constructed a solid 143-run partnership and given South Africa complete dominance.

Earlier during the innings, Mitchell Starc had sent back Ryan Rickelton and Wiaan Mulder early, but Markram and Bavuma remained composed and rallied back. They did not allow the Australian bowlers, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, or Starc, to unsettle them from then on.

Bavuma was very brave to keep batting with his hamstring injury. He would not have come back onto the field after tea, contemplating retiring hurt. But he decided to play on, realizing how much it mattered for South Africa to remain in the zone and not lose pace.

Markram played authoritatively, scoring 11 fours, while Bavuma stood in good support with five boundaries and safe running between the wickets despite the agony. The partnership provided relief to South African supporters, who were dancing and singing at Lord's.

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After the Stumps on Day 3, the assistant coach of South Africa, Ashwell Prince said:

"At tea time, we had to make a big call whether he continues to bat. They needed to consider several crucial factors before making a call. "How it will affect his stroke play, how that might affect Aiden's rhythm, if twos are being turned into ones and they can't run the twos or the threes."

He added:

"Both of them were adamant that Temba has got to continue. He (Bavuma) wanted to continue. Aiden was adamant that the partnership is the key. Aiden was well aware that he would have to curb his intensity just in terms of running between the wickets to allow Temba to ease his way through it."

If South Africa win, it will be their first title since 1998 when they won the Champions Trophy. Bavuma has a chance to become the first South African captain to lift the World Test Championship mace and finally end the "chokers" tag that has followed the team for years.

They will resume batting on Day 4 needing just 69 more runs to beat defending champions Australia.