Ashwell Prince calls for calm as Proteas put one hand on WTC mace

South Africa have one hand on the mace after finishing the third day in a commanding position on 213/2, and needing just 69 more runs for victory over Australia at Lord’s. 

With Aiden Markram nothing up an unbeaten century and skipper Themba Bavuma an impressive unbeaten half-century – despite a confirmed hamstring sprain – Prince says coach Shukri Conrad should be credited for controlling the emotions.

"It's about making sure that everybody stays calm within the dressing room, so as soon as Aiden and Temba came up the stairs, the first thing [Conrad] said was, 'Guys, you do the same as you do every night, don't change a thing, tomorrow you come and do the same,'" shared Prince.

"It's just the same processes, we obviously understand the magnitude of the situation and what's at stake, but it's just to stay calm and take it in your stride."

SA will not be in a hurry to wrap things up on the penultimate day, despite being close to winning their most important test match in history. 

According to the former opener, the plan is to do it well and not necessarily quickly.

"One of the things we said before the run chase is, 'The game will finish when it finishes, and whether that's tomorrow at lunch time or whatever time, the end of the match will take care of itself,'" he added.

"For us, the most important thing is to remain in the moment, and obviously, from a batting point of view, that means play one ball at a time, stay in the moment, and whenever the game finishes, that's when it will finish."

READ: Markram steps up to be Proteas' 'man for the big occasion'