Ashwell Prince made his third ton in as many matches on Saturday and then played his part in breathing life into the SuperSport Series cricket match between the Warriors and the Highveld Lions at St George's Park.
The overcast skies and rain gave way to glorious sunshine on Saturday after the opening two days of the match were lost to rain.
A result under normal circumstances would have been highly unlikely, but Warriors captain Prince declared their first innings at 278/8 before his Lions counterpart, Alviro Petersen, forfeited his team's first innings.
The Warriors were 18/1 in their second innings, taking an overall lead of 296 into the final day.
Jon-Jon Smuts, unbeaten on 10, and Michael Smith, on four not out, were at the crease.
The hosts will look for quick runs on Sunday in an effort to set the Lions a realistic target.
Earlier, Prince scored a masterful, unbeaten 134 to pull the Warriors out of initial strife.
It was a cautious, deliberate knock after the home side had lost their first four wickets for only 86 runs, but it was one that would have pleased the national selectors ahead of the Test season.
Prince struck 15 fours and two sixes off 209 balls in what was his 31st first-class career century.
Opener Smuts added 42 at the top of the innings at faster than a run a ball.
Lions left-arm spinner Paul Harris also enjoyed success as he claimed four wickets for 112 runs in 39 overs. – Sapa