Quinton De Kock scored his first test century as South Africa made England toil and continued their dominance on the second day of the final test in Centurion. He was well backed by Dane Piedt, who only scored 19 runs but faced 104 balls, and lasted for nearly two hours.
England led by captain Alastair Cook, fought back well despite losing both Nick Compton and Alex Hales early on as Cook and Joe Root led the response, finishing on 67* & 31* respectively.
England had better of first hour
England got off to a superb start on the second day, as first Stuart Broad removed Temba Bavuma, before James Anderson then removed Kagiso Rabada for a golden duck to give England the edge after the hour mark on the day. As well as the wickets, the duo of Broad and Anderson bowled particularly well whilst keeping it tight at the same time. The wicket of De Kock would always prove important to get as he could easily take the game away from the visitors as he has got an impressive record in the shorter form of the game.
South Africa lower order played around their number seven
The way that De Kock was playing enabled the likes of Kyle Abbott and Piedt to stick around and help to take the hosts past the 450 mark. The key partnership came between De Kock and Piedt, as the pair shared 82 from 25.3 overs which ultimately led South Africa into a dominant position on the second day. Once Ben Stokes removed Piedt, the hosts could only add seven for the final wicket as the impressive Stokes once again picked up the wicket to remove last man Morne Morkel for a duck to leave the wicket keeper De Kock stranded on 129, his best Test score.
This left England with another tough little session prior to the tea break as Alex Hales and Cook had the job of trying to keep it tight and see off the new ball.
Hales fails again
Once again opener Hales failed, as he has throughout this tour, as he has only managed a top score of 60 in the series at an average of just 19 which is the lowest of any of England's top seven so far.
He lasted for just 14 balls as Rabada got him with Piedt taking the catch at point, but it did include three fours which is something that Hales is renowned for playing with attacking intent, but he is yet to show what he can really do on the international stage and he just needs that one score of promise to give him an extended run of form in the team.
The England selectors will once again be considering their options as they have yet to really find anyone to partner Cook at the top of the order since Andrew Strauss retired in 2012, as Sam Robson, Micheal Carberry and Adam Lyth have all been tried but not really been giving long enough to show what they can do as an opener.
England's middle order once again will be crucial
Numbers four, five, six and seven; Joe Root, James Taylor, Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow will all have pivotal roles to play in making sure that England go into safe position in the game and going past the follow on target which is 275, which should easily be passed after the foundation which Cook has led on having scored his 47th test half century, aided nicely by Root after Compton got out.
The form of England's middle order has been a real positive, in particular Stokes and Bairstow, who have really showed exactly what they can offer to this side, averaging 115 and 73 in the series respectively including the incredible partnership of 399 in Cape Town. Root has gone under the radar, with everyone aware of his qualities, but his crucial century in the third test set England up for victory. He'll be hoping to do similar with Cook on the third day.