Pakistan ended the day needing just eight more wickets for victory, while South Africa, still 226 runs behind, face a steep challenge to complete what would be Lahore's highest successful chase and the second-highest in Pakistan.
The Proteas began on 216 for 6, trailing Pakistan's first-innings 378 by 162. Tony de Zorzi, resuming on 81, played positively and brought up his second Test century - and second in Asia - with two sixes and ten fours. He fell for 104, caught at long-on off Noman Ali, who completed a five-wicket haul and soon made it six by removing Prenelan Subrayen.
Sajid Khan mopped up the tail, dismissing Senuran Muthusamy (11) and bowling Kagiso Rabada for a duck, as South Africa folded for 269, conceding a 109-run lead. Noman finished with 6 for 112 - his ninth Test five-wicket haul.
Pakistan's second innings began aggressively but soon crumbled under South Africa's sharp spin. Simon Harmer struck in the first over, stumping Imam-ul-Haq for a duck and trapping Shan Masood lbw for 7.
Abdullah Shafique (41) and Babar Azam (42) added 62 to stabilize the innings, but both fell before and after tea. Shafique gave a return catch to Muthusamy, while Babar was trapped lbw by Rabada, extending his century drought to 28 innings.
Saud Shakeel added 38, but his dismissal before tea triggered a collapse. Pakistan crashed from 150 for 4 to 167 all out, losing six wickets for 17 runs. Muthusamy took 5 for 57 - his best innings figures - and a match haul of 11 for 174, the fourth-best by a South African spinner in Tests. Harmer claimed 4 for 51.
Chasing 277, South Africa lost early wickets. Noman bowled Aiden Markram for 3 and had Wiaan Mulder caught at slip for a duck. De Zorzi (16 not out) and Rickelton (29 not out) steadied things, taking South Africa to 51 for 2 at stumps.
The Proteas Women have secured a spot in the ICC Women's World Cup semifinals after the game between New Zealand and Pakistan was abandoned because of rain in Colombo.
Temba Bavuma has been included in the South Africa A side for a first-class fixture next month to prove his fitness ahead of the Proteas' Test series in India.
England seamer Mark Wood is feeling positive about an Ashes rekindling after a difficult period on the sidelines with a knee injury.
Pakistan were in with an opportunity for a massive upset against England at the ICC Women's World Cup but the game was eventually abandoned due to persistent rain in Colombo.
