Proteas face record-breaking run chase

South Africa's injured opener Dean Elgar is expected to bat in Durban, where his side face an intimidating run-chase against Australia.

Steve Smith's team will resume at 9-213 on day four of the four-Test series opener, holding a 402-run lead.

The highest successful chase at Kingsmead is the 336 Australia chased down against against the Proteas in 1950.

South Africa reeled in 335 against Steve Waugh's Australians in 2002, while the hosts' highest ever fourth innings total at the venue is the 370 they put on in the 2009 Test that is more famously remembered for Phillip Hughes' twin centuries.

The Proteas' highest ever successful run chase anywhere is the 4-414 scored against a depleted Australia attack in Perth in 2008, while the world record remains the 7-418 the West Indies scored against Australia in St John's in 2003.

The fact Australia features regularly in those statistics will ensure the Aussies would be keen to bat on for the fourth day.

Despite already holding a huge lead and 10th wicket pair Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood at the crease, Australia opener Cameron Bancroft said nobody should expect an Australian declaration.

"There is still two days to go and I think the thing they probably wouldn't like the most is rocking up tomorrow and bowling," Bancroft said.

"There is certainly plenty of time left in the game so I'm pretty confident we'll keep batting. When that partnership ends, we'll come out and hopefully be really disciplined and work hard to take 10 wickets. That's certainly going to be our focus tomorrow."

Proteas opener Elgar raced off the field at Kingsmead on day three, having dislocated his right pinky finger while holding the catch that dismissed Mitchell Starc.

Elgar received treatment in the rooms to put the dodgy digit back in place and the hosts are confident he will be be fit enough to face Starc's chin music.

"Dean is a tough cookie," South Africa's assistant coach Malibongwe Maketa said.

"He was really keen to go back out there and to bat. There's no concern about him."

Elgar has suggested in the past that batting through pain is something that brings out the best in him.

"It puts me in a different mindset," he said last year.

"It's like the challenge is a little bit more. I guess only an opening batsman could see it that way."

The Proteas have recently endured a rotten run on the injury front.

Faf du Plessis, AB de VIlliers and Quinton de Kock all recovered from setbacks to take their place in the XI for the first Test.

Veteran paceman Dale Steyn (heel) and Temba Bavuma (finger) remain on the sidelines, although the latter could return for the second Test in Port Elizabeth that starts on Friday.

Part-time spinner Elgar enjoyed a productive day with the ball on Saturday, dismissing Steve Smith for the second time in his career.

Qantas tour of South Africa

South Africa squad: Faf du Plessis (c), Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock, Theunis de Bruyn, AB de Villiers, Dean Elgar, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Morne Morkel, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Vernon Philander, Kagiso Rabada.

Australia squad: Steve Smith (c), David Warner (vc), Cameron Bancroft, Pat Cummins, Peter Handscomb, Josh Hazlewood, Jon Holland, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Tim Paine, Jhye Richardson, Chadd Sayers, Mitchell Starc.

Warm-up match: Australia beat South Africa A by five wickets. Report, highlights

First Test Kingsmead, Durban, March 1-5. Live coverage

Second Test St George's Park, Port Elizabeth, March 9-13. Live coverage

Third Test Newlands, Cape Town, March 22-26. Live coverage

Fourth Test Wanderers, Johannesburg, March 30-April 3. Live coverage