Cape Town - Aviwe Mgijima was closing in on a century as the Cape Cobras took control of their Sunfoil Series encounter against the Dolphins after day two in Pietermaritzburg on Friday.
The visitors went to stumps on 326 for seven - a lead of 41 - after the hosts lost their remaining two wickets for three runs on the second morning to be dismissed for 285 at the City Oval.
Right-hander Mgijima then led the way with his unbeaten 95 (156 balls, 9 fours, 3 sixes), while there were also solid half-centuries from Kyle Verreynne (88 off 164 balls, 15 fours) and Stiaan van Zyl (63 off 99 balls, 12 fours).
It represented a strong middle-order showing by the away side and helped claim the advantage at the halfway point of the crucial round eight contest.
They largely dominated the day after making a positive start in which the final two Dolphins wickets were claimed inside 12 balls - Robbie Frylinck eventually ending on 65 not out (80 balls, 4 fours, 3 sixes).
The pick of the bowlers was Dane Paterson with four for 58.
Rabian Engelbrecht (3/58) then removed the Cobras’ two reliable openers Andrew Puttick (7) and Pieter Malan (0) to leave the score on 28 for two, the only real period that the home side were on top.
The visitors then rebuilt through their three half-centurions to move ahead in the game.