South Africa coach Micky Arthur doesn't rule out the possibility of an injured Graeme Smith coming out to bat on Wednesday if situation so demands.

"I doubt Smith will come out. If there is one or two overs to see out a draw or a win, we are going to need a chain to chain him down in the dressing room," Arthur said.

Already battling an elbow injury, Smith sustained another blow when a Mitchell Johnson delivery hurt his finger, forcing the South African captain to retire hurt in the first innings.

His finger still in cast, Smith didn't take to the field today. Instead, Morne Morkel, who batted at number eight in the first innings, came out as a makeshift opener along with acting captain Neil McKenzie but the ploy fell flat on its face with Morkel perishing for a second ball duck.

Chasing 376 runs, South Africa were 62 for one at stumps, still 314 runs away from a memorable victory.

"I'm not taking the possibility out of the equation but it is highly unlikely," Arthur added.

The South African said he was surprised to see Ricky Ponting declaring and setting South Africa a sub-400 target.

"I was (surprised). I thought they would go a little bit longer to be honest. I thought based on what has happened through the series they would look at 400," Arthur said.

Arthur felt Ponting probably did the right thing because it would not be easy cleaning up the remaining South African wickets even on a tricky fifth day track.

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