Hashim Amla helped steer South Africa away from trouble early in their second innings of the third Test against Pakistan as the Proteas ended the second day with a lead of 212.

South Africa had been well on top as Duanne Olivier took 5-51 to help bowl Pakistan out for 185 in less than 50 overs in Johannesburg – giving the hosts a first-innings lead of 77.

But their reply got off to a rocky start as they were reduced to 45-4 with stand-in captain Dean Elgar, Aiden Markram, Theunis de Bruyn and Zubayr Hamza the men out.

Amla and Temba Bavuma combined to put on 48 for the fifth wicket, steadying the ship until Bavuma edged behind to go for 23 shortly before the close.

However, that brought in Quinton De Kock and he contributed a rapid 34 to an unbroken 42-run stand with Amla to leave South Africa in a strong position as they seek to wrap up a 3-0 series sweep.

Earlier, Pakistan were 91-5 before Babar Azam (49) and captain Sarfraz Ahmed (50) put on 78 off only 61 balls for the sixth wicket.

However, in the afternoon session, South Africa picked up three wickets in two overs as the score went from 169-5 to 169-8. Olivier took his series tally to 21 wickets at an average of 13.28.

In reply, South African stand-in skipper Elgar was caught behind for five off Mohammad Amir while Markram followed after making 21.

When all-rounder Faheem Ashraf dismissed both De Bruyn and Hamza, tension mounted in the South African camp before Amla and Bavuma steadied the innings and De Kock later upped the ante.