Sir Ian Botham bemoaned England's sloppy catching as South Africa lost just one wicket on day three of the second Test in Cape Town.
Hashim Amla (157no) was spilled by James Anderson at slip on 76 and Nick Compton at point on 120 as the Proteas reached stumps at Newlands on 353-3, cutting their deficit to a still sizeable 276 runs.
"You have to say that if England had hung on to their catches we would be talking about a different game," Botham told Sky Sports after the tourists picked up the solitary scalp of AB de Villiers (88).
"There were a couple that should have been caught and England will be disappointed because they do work hard at that side of the game.
"Catches win matches, particularly on a wicket like this where the bowlers have had to work their socks off."
Steve Finn (1-82) was the man to dismiss De Villiers, the seamer ending a 183-run stand between the 31-year-old and Amla by tempting him to pick out James Anderson at midwicket.
Finn also had De Villiers hopping around early on with his extra zip and bounce and Botham feels the Middlesex quick was unfortunate to not collect further wickets.
The former England all-rounder praised the efforts of the entire visiting attack and thinks early breakthroughs on Tuesday morning will swing the game even further in Alastair Cook's men's favour.
"You can't fault the bowlers, who stuck to their tasks and did extremely well," added Botham after South Africa dug in to amass 212 runs from the 87 overs bowled on day three.
"I thought Finn was exceptional, the pick of the bowlers, and just had no luck, but they all bowled with good discipline and restricted South Africa to 2.5 runs per over.
"We have to remember that England are still 276 runs ahead, so one good session tomorrow morning and things could change."
Watch the third day in Newlands from 8am on Sky Sports 2.