The second ODI in this five-match series couldn't have been further removed from the first. The run-fest at Bloemfontein was the polar opposite to the turgid and low scoring affair today at Port Elizabeth.
A slow and turgid pitch made sure there was a lot in the pitch from the bowlers, but even a slow pitch couldn't stop England from beating South Africa and taking a dominant 2-0 series lead.
Topley keeps proteas under control
With South Africa winning the toss, it all came down to Reece Topley and David Willey to give England a good start to the match. The two started the powerplay expertly with three of the first five overs being maidens, with the crucial wicket of Hashim Amla being bowled with a perfect inswinger from Topley for just four runs.
While South Africa recovered from their poor start to the innings, regular and crucial wickets from Topley ensured the Proteas could never build up the momentum they needed to build a big total. Topley finished the innings with figures of 4-50, career best figures for the Essex paceman in ODIs.
De Villiers recovers form
Following his poor run of form in the Test series, and his dismissal for little in the first ODI, thanks in part to some heroics from Ben Stokes, the South African batsman will have been desperate to get himself a good score.
Despite his lack of confidence leading up to this match, the Proteas batsman looked assured at the crease as he played a virtually chanceless, and classy, innings as he anchored South Africa's innings with an assured 73 from 117 deliveries.
He was finally dismissed, however, after another fantastic catch, Chris Jordan this time, diving to take a hard chance over his shoulder when AB de Villiers tried to heave Stokes over midwicket, but could only get it off the toe of his bat.
Hales just misses out on century
Just like De Villiers above, Alex Hales also had a torrid Test series. Although Hales had slightly recovered with a fifty in the previous ODI, he was still looking for a century in South Africa, and somehow he still is.
Despite losing Jason Roy early, Hales wasn't phased and after a massive 97 run partnership with Joe Root, he looked in full control of his own destiny. Hales was impressive all around the ground, yet measured at the same time. The Notts batsman was the glue that held the England chase together, he was looking immovable at the crease and looked dead certain for his century. He couldn't achieve that elusive 100 however. Facing a Kyle Abbott short ball, he missed his hook shot and somehow it deflected off his thigh pad and just clipped his bat on the way through to the Quinton De Kock. Unlucky as it was, he still had to go having scored 99 from 124 deliveries.
The loss of his wicket heaped pressure on England, and despite a Stokes duck, another explosive innings from Jos Buttler, 48* from 28 balls, took England to a five wicket victory and gave England a controlling 2-0 series lead.
England will now look to win the series with two games to spare when the two teams next meet at Centurion on Tuesday.