Rain threatens day 4 Sth Africa v Windies

Rain is preventing play between South Africa and West Indies on day four of the third and final Test.

A century by AB de Villiers gave South Africa the edge in the third Test against the West Indies. (AAP)

Steady rain threatened to prevent any play on the fourth day of the third and final Test between South Africa and the West Indies at Newlands on Monday.

Rain fell from early morning and continued to fall at the scheduled resumption of play.

With ground staff estimating they would need at least two hours to prepare the ground after rain stopped, there was no possibility of play before lunch, while the forecast was for further rain during the day.

The West Indies had scored 88 for two wickets in their second innings at the close on Sunday, four runs behind South Africa's first innings total of 421.