The magic number is 69

Australia 212 all out and 207 all out

South Africa 138 all out and 213/2

South Africa need 69 runs to win

South Africa are closing in on victory in the ICC World Test Championship Final after they dominated the majority of the third day's play against Australia at Lord's on Friday.

The Proteas reached 213/2 at stumps, with opener Aiden Markram (102*) and skipper Temba Bavuma (65*) at the crease and a further 69 runs required for victory.

The pair have batted superbly, with Markram in particular showing his class with his eighth Test century and Bavuma playing the perfect support role despite being badly hampered by a dodgy hamstring.

South Africa dismissed Australia for 207 in their second innings during the opening session on Friday, with Mitchell Starc (58 not out) catapulting the Aussies towards a lead of 300 following an enterprising partnership of 59 for the 10th wicket with Josh Hazlewood (17).

The victory target was 282 and when Starc removed Ryan Rickelton for just six in the third over of the chase it looked like Australia were going to skittle the Proteas with ease just like they did in the first innings.

But Wiaan Mulder (27) batted well alongside Markram until he misjudged a drive from Starc and picked out Marnus Labuschagne at cover, before Bavuma joined the party and used his experience to guide the Proteas' chase despite picking up a hamstring injury while batting.

It wasn't the only injury sustained on a hot day in north London, with Australia veteran Steve Smith sent to hospital after he suffered a compound dislocation of his right little finger when he grassed a difficult chance provided by Bavuma in slip when the South African captain was on just two.

Australia skipper Pat Cummins tried valiantly to break the stand between Markram and Bavuma, with the Aussies utilising six bowlers throughout the Proteas' innings in an attempt to obtain the momentum that has swung greatly between the two sides across the first three days.

But Markram and Bavuma remained unmoved, with the pair showing great concentration throughout their unbeaten stand to bring South Africa within striking distance of victory and a first World Test Championship mace.

The match ends what has been a gripping World Test Championship cycle, where the Proteas won seven straight Test matches to seal their spot in the decider, while Australia are looking to become the first team to claim back-to-back championships, with the concept commencing in 2019.

South Africa XI: 1 Aiden Markram, 2 Ryan Rickelton, 3 Wiaan Mulder, 4 Temba Bavuma (captain), 5 Tristan Stubbs, 6 David Bedingham, 7 Kyle Verreynne (wk), 8 Marco Jansen, 9 Keshav Maharaj, 10 Kagiso Rabada, 11 Lungi Ngidi.

Australia XI: 1 Usman Khawaja, 2 Marnus Labuschagne, 3 Cameron Green, 4 Steve Smith, 5 Travis Head, 6 Beau Webster, 7 Alex Carey (wk), 8 Pat Cummins (captain), 9 Mitchell Starc, 10 Nathan Lyon, 11 Josh Hazlewood.