At last, South Africa show some fight. What a change – for a time the Aussies actually looked ragged in the field. And they were fighting despite a comment from Thabo Mbeki, South Africa's president, which put a damper on the sports scene for me. He said that "South Africa must not worry about winning too much for two to three years" while "his people" are brought into the team as part of the process of integration.

This is disappointing for two reasons. Firstly South Africa are desperately trying to regain their pride on the cricket field. And secondly "his people" must include everyone in South Africa. For me it shows a lack of understanding of the pride and passions of sport, especially cricket. Can you imagine the Australians being told that winning didn't matter much by their prime minister?

On the field, I was impressed with Graeme Smith. He has scored a lot of runs for Western Province this season, but then – as often seems to happen – the selectors picked him after he had been 12th man in the first Test and not batted properly for some time. I saw him a couple of years ago when he played in the Nuffield Cricket Week, which is for South Africa's provincial schools. In that particular week at Potchefstroom I noticed two players who stood out. The other one was Jacques Rudolph. We will have to wait a while to see him, but he is in the same class as Smith, and his turn will come.

And I was very impressed with Shane Warne today. He bowled with tremendous thought and guile. He is without doubt the best legspinner I have ever seen. I sometimes fantasise about playing against him, if for no other reason than to see what he does and how he does it!

Warne holds the key to this Test. South Africa need in excess of 300 to stand a chance, and their cause wasn't helped when Warne winkled out Kallis after tea. That was a vital wicket.

I suppose the likelihood is that Warne and the Aussies will work their way through the rest of the batting, and will probably win in the end. But we have got a proper Test match on our hands at last. Despite Daryll Cullinan, despite the quota system, South Africa are fighting. It is good for the country, and it is good for the spirits.

Bob Woolmer, South Africa's coach from 1994 to 1999, will be writing the Wisden Verdict throughout this series.

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