Check out batsman Joe Denly talking to the media after day two of England’s first Test against the Proteas at SuperSport Park in Centurion.

The Proteas’ second-innings lead grew to 175 on Friday.

Limited to 284 all out in the first innings, the hosts moved to 72-4 in the second. They also restricted the tourists to 181 all out. Friday, indeed, yielded 15 wickets in total.

Debutant Rassie van der Dussen and nightwatchman Anrich Nortje will resume on Saturday, but familiar top- through middle-order frailties were again evident. Openers Dean Elgar and Aiden Markram, the young Zubayr Hamza and Faf du Plessis shared a mere 48 runs.

Fast bowler Jofra Archer, meanwhile, was formally warned after bowling consecutive head-high full tosses at Nortje.

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South Africa’s performance with the ball was highlighted by fast bowlers Kagiso Rabada and Nortje – and seamers Philander and Dwaine Pretorius.

Philander, who will retire from international cricket after this series, was characteristically telling en route to figures of 4-16 in 14.2 overs, of which the first five were successive maidens.

Nortje was key in successfully combating all-rounder Ben Stokes, who posed a significant threat after hitting spinner Keshav Maharaj for back-to-back sixes. Half-centurion Denly’s departure afforded Pretorius a maiden Test wicket.