The morning session of day two in the first Test belonged to India as they snatched three wickets in an attempt to restrict South Africa's charge in Mohali.
The Proteas now trail their opponents by 74 runs having finished the morning on 127, but they lost Dean Elgar, Hashim Amla and Dane Vilas in the process.
South Africa began the day on 28-2, and despite totting up the run tally, they were under pressure from India's bowlers.
The hosts eventually found the breakthrough when opening batsman Elgar (37) tried to tackle Ravichandran Ashwin's spin, but he edged straight into the hands of Ravindra Jadeja.
India ramped up their attack and after a few appeals and no balls, Ashwin nabbed his second wicket of the day when Amla was stumped after coming out of the crease too far to take the ball.
Vilas was the next to fall in the same over as he top-edged the ball back to square leg, where Jadeja moved to take the catch while tumbling to the ground.
