Batsman Hashim Amla remains confident South Africa can save the second Test match against Australia in Durban.

The Proteas reached stumps on day four at 244 for two thanks to an unbroken 164-run partnership between Jacques Kallis (84) and AB de Villiers (68) but still face a tough final day on an unpredictable Durban pitch as they attempt to chase down an unlikely 546.

"The target's a big one and we're not really looking at that with too much in mind," Amla said. "We're pretty much looking at it hour by hour, trying to play the game as it comes and obviously reassess how far we go by what happens tomorrow."

Amla, who was thrust up the order to open the batting in South Africa's second innings after captain Graeme Smith broke a finger, got the chase off to a good start by sharing a 63-run stand with Neil McKenzie.

"There is still some faith"

And he revealed there is plenty of faith in the dressing room the series can still be kept alive with the final Test to come in Cape Town.

He continued: "Without a doubt (there is belief the game can be saved).

"I think, over the last good few months now, we've done this before and everyone in the team believes it is possible.

"It will depend a lot on how we start off tomorrow in the first session. I think that will go a long way in determining where we stand in the game."

One thing not in South Africa's favour is the new ball, which is available first thing tomorrow morning.

But Amla is not worried, adding: "Yes, the new ball is due in the morning and it's also a deteriorating wicket and day five but, as I said, we'll have to try and dig deep in the first session or two and then take things from there.

"The new ball will be crucial"

"If Jacques and AB can get us through the new ball safely, and if we lose no more than one wicket before lunch, then we will have a good chance of batting out the day."

Peter Siddle was Australia's only wicket-taker on day four, snaring both McKenzie and Amla.

Like Amla, he also expects the new ball to be crucial after a tough outing for the bowlers today.

He said: "There was not a lot of sideways movement, it's been pretty flat. Every now and then you get the odd one to bounce or keep low.

"Hopefully, with the new ball tomorrow morning, we can get it to swing around a little bit if we take it straight away and then see how it goes. We'll be looking to certainly get a few quick blows."

Australia ready to spit fire

Despite the tourists looking flat towards the end of a hot day in Durban, the paceman insists the Australians will be ready to fire tomorrow.

He added: "The general spirit hasn't been too bad. We spent 80 overs in the field and only got a couple of wickets.

"But no, we'll be ready to go again tomorrow morning and show a bit of a buzz in the first hour and hopefully grab another couple of quick ones there and see how we go for the rest of the day."