The touring side, already 2-0 behind in the series and who followed on 303 runs behind, were 263 for three when bad light ended play 17 overs early on a fourth day also blighted by morning rain.

Gayle, who returned to the crease after being forced off by a rising delivery from Makhaya Ntini on Sunday, was 106 not out with Sarwan on 107 in an unbroken stand of 164, a West Indian record for the fourth wicket against South Africa.

``They batted very well today and they deserve credit,'' said South Africa coach Eric Simons.

``They played with freedom. They lost their big fish, Brian Lara (on the third day, for six), but they've stuck to their guns.

``It was just one of those days when the ball keeps going past the bat, and the batsmen keep finding the gaps. It was very frustrating ... but I believe we are hungry enough to win it.''

The series has yielded 20 centuries, one behind the record of 21 shared by West Indies and Australia in the Caribbean in 1955.

The visitors resumed on 44 for two, though rain delayed the start by 30 minutes and reduced the morning session to seven overs, West Indies reaching lunch on 63 without further loss.

The home side managed to breakthrough in the 14th over after lunch when Shivnarine Chanderpaul, playing away from his pad, sliced a Jacques Kallis delivery to Herschelle Gibbs at backward point for 27, ending a partnership of 67 with Sarwan.

Gayle then returned to the crease and proceeded to attack the bowlers, putting the home side under pressure for the first time in the match and helping to post a healthy run rate of 3.3 per over.

South Africa's miserable day was compounded with all-rounder Andrew Hall limping off with a suspected prolapsed back disc after bowling two balls.

More rain has been forecast for today.

West Indies were bowled out for 301 in their first innings after South Africa declared on 604 for six towards the end of the second day.

SOUTH AFRICA first innings 604-6 declared (H.Gibbs 192, G.Smith 139, K.Kallis 130 not out)
West Indies first innings 301 (C.Gayle 77; M.Ntini 5-49)

WEST INDIES second innings (o/n 44-2)

C.Gayle not out 106

D.Ganga Ntini 0

R.Sarwan not out 107

B.Lara lbw b Nel 6

S.Chanderpaul c Gibbs b Kallis 27

Extras: (b-4, lb-4, w-7, nb-2) 17

Total: (for three wickets, 80 overs) 263

Fall of wickets: 1-18, 2-32, 3-99.

Bowling (to date): Pollock 19-8-31-0 (nb-2), Ntini 16-0-63-1 (w-5), Nel 14-2-60-1 (w-2), Kallis 16-4-49-1, Hall 0.2-0-4-0, Smith 8.4-1-24-0, Rudolph 6-0-24-0.