CAPE TOWN: Paul Collingwood survived a blistering spell of new ball bowling from Dale Steyn as he and Ian Bell battled to save England from defeat on the fifth day of the third Test against South Africa at Newlands on Thursday.

England were 230 for five at tea after Collingwood and Bell batted throughout the afternoon, giving their team an excellent chance of preserving their 1-0 lead going into the fourth and final Test in Johannesburg next week. Only 34 overs remained in the match.

Steyn gave South Africa an important breakthrough 36 minutes before lunch when he bowled Jonathan Trott with a superb delivery which swung in late.

Steyn and Morne Morkel took the second new ball one over after lunch but could not separate England's last two specialist batsmen.

Collingwood, though, was given a torrid time by Steyn, who had him playing and missing at balls which swung away late, earning a wry acknowledgement from the batsman, and twice almost bowling him with deliveries which cut back.

But at the end of a six-over spell Steyn had had not taken a wicket and Collingwood was still battling away, as he did when England escaped with a draw in the first Test in Centurion.

At Centurion, Collingwood batted for 159 minutes and faced 99 balls in scoring 26 not out. On Thursday he had batted for 193 minutes by tea, facing 155 balls and making 31 not out. Bell had been in for 155 minutes and faced 110 balls for his 38.

Collingwood had the decision review system to thank for his survival, however, as he was given out before he had scored, caught at slip off left-arm spinner Paul Harris. Collingwood immediately asked for a review of umpire Tony Hill's decision. Replays showed the ball had gone off his thigh pad.

South Africa claimed the wickets of nightwatchman James Anderson and Trott during the morning as England batted cautiously, making a victory target of 466 unrealistic.

With Trott batting solidly and Anderson defending with determination, it took South Africa 46 minutes to make a breakthrough, for which they required some luck.

Anderson swept left-arm spinner Paul Harris and the ball went onto his boot before squirting out towards backward short leg where Ashwell Prince made a diving catch.

Trott had made a watchful 42 off 99 balls when he fell victim to Steyn during the second of two three-over bursts by the fast bowler. A fast, full ball swung in late and sent Trott's off stump flying.