Laura Wolvaardt, Marizanne Kapp and Suné Luus scored half-centuries for South Africa on day two of the one-off Test against England in Bloemfontein.

Captain Wolvaardt top-scored with 65 off 147 balls (11 fours), while Kapp contributed 57 from 74 (11 fours) and Luus 56 off 148 (eight fours) as the Proteas Women collapsed from 237-3 to be bowled out for 281 in 88.4 overs in reply to the England’s 395-9 declared.

At stumps, the visitors were 31-1 in their second innings, holding a 145-run lead with two days remaining.

The Proteas resumed the day on 17-0, with Wolvaardt and Anneke Bosch at the crease.

England struck early as Lauren Bell (4-49) removed Bosch for six within the first two overs of the morning.

Wolvaardt then partnered with young all-rounder Annerie Dercksen (41) to put together a 92-run stand for the second wicket that took South Africa to 113-1, before Dercksen fell on the stroke of lunch to Lauren Filer (2-53).

After the interval, Wolvaardt was adjudged lbw to Sophie Ecclestone (1-40).

Kapp and Luus then produced a 99-run partnership for the fourth wicket, before Kapp was clean bowled by Ryana MacDonald-Gay (2-50) to make it 237-4.

After a rain delay, England seized control, taking wickets at regular intervals, with MacDonald-Gay, Bell, Filer and Nat Sciver-Brunt (1-25) sharing the last six wickets.

England’s second innings got off to a shaky start, with Maia Bouchier dismissed by Ayanda Hlubi (1-1) for a duck.

However, Tammy Beaumont (eight not out) and captain Heather Knight (19*) steadied the ship.

Photo: Charle Lombard/Gallo Images