South Africa set India a mammoth victory target of 549 in the second test and educed the hosts to 27-2 to stay firmly on course for a 2-0 series sweep in Guwahati on Tuesday.

A first-innings lead of 288 had put the world test champions in the box seat, and they declared their second innings on 260-5 immediately after Tristan Stubbs was dismissed for 94 midway through the final session.