The England skipper was unbeaten on 49 at lunch on the third day as his side struggled to 109 for three in reply to the home team's first innings 428.
Fast bowler Shaun Pollock removed Jason Gallian for his overnight 14 after 30 minutes when an outside edge flew low to Daryll Cullinan at first slip.
Gallian, desperately keen to establish himself in the jinxed No. 3 batting slot, faced 78 deliveries. In contrast, left-hander Graham Thorpe played with abandon, making 27 from just 34 balls.
But just when he looked set to make his first major score of the series, Thorpe became 18-year-old, left-arm wrist spinner Paul Adams's first test victim, pulling a long hop straight to Jonty Rhodes at mid-wicket.
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