Chad Mason’s four wickets on day three left the first youth test between South Africa's under-19 men and England evenly poised at Coetzenburg Oval in Stellenbosch on Tuesday.
The medium-pacer grabbed 4-97 in 26 hard-working overs as the tourists reached stumps on 275 for eight – a lead of 255 with a day to play.
Earlier the hosts managed to take a 20-run first-innings lead thanks to good resistance by Nqobani Mokoena (29) and Raeeq Daniels (30*), who added 47 together for the ninth wicket.
Their partnership set the tone for the junior Proteas early in the day when they resumed on 269 for eight, before eventually being dismissed for 319 as Farhan Ahmed finished with four for 78.
England began their second innings far more confidently with Ben Dawkins (33) and Archie Vaughan (44) putting on 64 for the opening wicket, before Mason struck to remove the former, caught by Muhammad Bulbulia.
The latter was next to go when he was trapped leg before wicket by Daniels (1-31). The away side then lost two more quick wickets - Aaryan Sawant run-out by Jorich van Schalkwyk for 11 and Ben Mayes sent back lbw for 0 by Jason Rowles (1-46).
But Kesh Fonseka (39) and Thomas Rew (71 off 71 balls, 12 fours) dug in with a stand worth 78 for the fifth wicket to put their side back in control at 184 for four.
Divan De Villiers (1-30) finally managed to land a breakthrough, before Mason was further rewarded for his perseverance with three more wickets.
By the close, though, resistance was coming from Jack Home (34*) as the stubborn English tail prevented the hosts from finishing off the innings.
SA U19 Men’s Youth ODI Squad against England U19:
Bennie Hansen (captain, Western Province), Daniel Bosman (Western Province), Raeeq Daniels (Western Province), Divan de Villiers (Titans), Carl Fryer (North West), Paul James (Western Province), Enathi Khitshini (Garden Route Badgers), Adnaan Lagadien (Western Province), Chad Mason (KZN Inland Tuskers), Bandile Mbatha (Dolphins), Nqobani Mokoena (Dolphins), Lethabo Phahlamohlaka (Titans), Semal Pillay (Dolphins), Jason Rowles (Lions), and Ntando Soni (Dolphins).
Youth Test Series:
26 - 29 January at 10am
South Africa U19 v England U19 - Coetzenburg Oval, Stellenbosch
3 - 6 February at 10am
South Africa U19 v England U19 - Western Province Cricket Club, Cape Town