CAPE TOWN: England claimed the wickets of Graeme Smith and Jacques Kallis but could not stop South Africa stretching their lead beyond 400 on the fourth morning of the third Test at Newlands on Wednesday.

South Africa were 397 for four in their second innings at lunch, an overall lead of 415.

After the aggressive batting of Smith on Tuesday, it was a relatively sedate morning's play, with South Africa adding 85 runs while England bowled only 24 overs in two hours.

Smith took his overnight score of 162 to 183 as he and Kallis batted comfortably against the second new ball, which was taken at the start of play.

Smith showed attacking intent as he added 21 runs off 29 balls but was caught on the fine leg boundary when he top-edged a hook against Graham Onions. He made his 183 off 272 balls with 25 fours.

Having successfully asked for a review of a leg before wicket decision when he was on 51, Smith might have survived again had umpire Tony Hill spotted that Onions over-stepped the bowling crease - or Smith asked for another review. England have only bowled two no-balls in the first three matches of the series.

Kallis followed up his first innings century by making 46 before he edged an attempted square cut against James Anderson and was caught behind.

England went on the defensive in the second hour, slowing down their over rate and setting run-saving fields. Only ten overs were bowled after the mid-morning drinks, with Anderson and Stuart Broad both taking six minutes or more to bowl an over.