Markram and Bavuma proceeded to put the Proteas' years of World Cup misery to bed as they batted their side to a position of dominance throughout the day's final two sessions, before they returned on Saturday to put the finishing touches on historic moment in South Africa cricket.

While the whole team contributed, Temba Bavuma, Aiden Markram and Kagiso Rabada were the heroes in South Africa’s (SA’s) biggest-ever red-ball match.

Assistant coach Daniel Vettori insists Australia have not given up hope of retaining their World Test Championship crown after South Africa finished the third day at Lord's in a commanding position.

Just 69 runs stand between the Proteas and rewriting their painful history at ICC events as batters finally gained the upper hand on day three with few signs of the treacherous conditions that saw 28 wickets fall on the opening two days at Lord's.