South Africa were 136-5 at tea in their second innings on the last day of the fourth and final Test against India in New Delhi on Monday.
AB de Villiers was on 43 with Dane Vilas on 13.
The top-ranked tourists, who have already conceded the series 2-0, must bat out one more session with five wickets in hand to salvage a draw.
India, who made 334 in their first innings, declared their second innings on 267-5 to set South Africa a massive 481-run victory target.
The visitors were bowled out for 121 in their first innings.