Like an unfinished pot, the match waited upon its final shape. Perhaps it came in the form of a committed partnership between Mark Butcher and Nasser Hussain, or in the more adventurous work offered by Hussain and Alec Stewart.
Perhaps not. Every result remains possible. Notwithstanding the weaknesses at the top and bottom of their order, these visitors will not slip down the slide of the irredeemable.
It has been a tale as much about inadequacies as competence, the damaging strokes played by batsmen whose sole purpose these three days has been to put runs upon the board, the wickets lost to pulls and cuts as batsmen tried to hit the ball harder than was permitted upon a gluepot of a pitch.
It has been a match full of mistakes, with our friend from Pakistan raising his finger with more composure than judgment, sharpening the debate about referring imponderables to the third umpire.
Since the tyranny of the camera cannot be avoided it might as well be utilised for we are all naked beneath the veneer, all fools, all prone to error. Of course the camera can also mislead. An assistant might have been hard pressed to send Mark Ramprakash and Hussain on their way in England's first effort yet instinct insists those decisions were correct.
Happily the match has also had much to commend it beyond the slow unfolding of a tight struggle. England's settled top order have batted with the utmost determination. Although unproductive here, Michael Atherton has discovered the high plateau that exists beyond experienced complexity. He has returned to the simplicity of his original game and will not easily be shifted because it is now the product of mature reason. Batting is the realisation of the discovered self.
Test cricket does its utmost to break a man, shake him from his faith, shattering the rhythms within. As much could be seen from the troubled contributions made earlier in the match by Daryll Cullinan, Graeme Hick and Ramprakash.
Hussain and Butcher survived the examination with an impressive partnership. Indeed, they chose this moment to play their best Test innings in this company. Butcher looked every inch a Test batsman as he worked away square of the wicket and otherwise stood still and presented a straight bat. Doubtless he was as surprised as everyone else to find his father playing for Surrey once again, itself a comment upon second XI and board cricket.
Hussain reached far into himself and found the resilience to match this occasion. As he did against Australia in Birmingham last year, he watched the ball closely, remained outwardly calm and gradually began to play his favourite strokes, hooking Donald with sudden and exciting power as England resisted, even punished a spell that could have turned the match.
Throughout the series, Hussain has batted capably and without much luck. He defies the bowlers to do their worst and has a part to play in a top four more secure than it has been for some time.
England batted with unwavering discipline on a strange pitch whose limitations they accepted. Forsaking risky shots, grafting hard for their runs, protecting their wickets with unyielding determination, they frustrated opponents who had set out to take five wickets in the morning.
Amongst the visitors, Hansie Cronje and Shaun Pollock stood out. Neither was beaten or bowed. Cronje has played superbly throughout the series and has matured into an impressive cricketer. It is not his fault that South Africa cannot find an opening partner to support Gary Kirsten nor a pace bowler to replace Lance Klusener, whose fierce contributions have been missed.
Makhaya Ntini bowled from wide of the crease and his accuracy suffered. Although he did produce a tighter second spell, he didn't take a wicket and a spinner might have been preferred. It doesn't take long for the South Africans to circle the wagons. Nor is it Cronje's fault that the visitors appeared under strain, as if trying to escape the creeping shadow thrown by fear and weariness.
Only Pollock was at his liveliest. He was South Africa's best bowler and his stout-hearted effort brought the wickets of Stewart and Ramprakash that re-ignited the flame of hope. South Africa might have won this series a month ago. Now they are fighting to resist a rejuvenated opponent. To the strong will go the spoils.
England batted with courage and acumen, and their confidence grew as the afternoon went along. Stewart's square drive took their lead past 100 and into the hopeful lands beyond. By now, the South Africans had set a defensive field, a single slip and everyone else saving runs. Perhaps they sensed they had missed their opportunity.