The tail-enders added 46 runs in the morning session to South Africa’s overnight score of 267.
Chris Morris and Kagiso Rabada resumed the day but it took England only three overs to get their first breakthrough, ending a valuable 56-run partnership, when Morris edged one behind.
Rabada followed three balls later to an unplayable James Anderson delivery before Hardus Viljoen and Morne Morkel shared a 32-run partnership to take South Africa beyond the 300-mark they had been hoping for.
James Anderson was two balls into his 26th over and just had Morkel dropped by Jonny Bairstow when umpire Aleem Dar banned him from bowling further for running on to the pitch. Ben Stokes had to finish the over and had Morkel caught by Alastair Cook with his very first delivery to end South Africa’s innings.
South Africa needed Chris Morris and Kagiso Rabada to get them close to the 300-run mark and they got to 281 before Morris departed.
Some have said that 300 is a winning score on this Wanderers surface, but a more accurate assessment can only be made once England have batted. There is, however, no doubt the Proteas will be happy with their total and the effort of the tail-enders in the first 50 minutes of the day.
For ball-by-ball commentary, click below:
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