Right then. I'm not going to say that the first session in the morning is crucial, but...

We're signing off now, but keep an eye out for our report on the day's play and a Jonathan Agnew column.

We're back tomorrow for an earlier than anticipated start as we look to make up for time lost to the rain. So, play starts at 7:30 GMT and we'll be kicking off at 7:15 GMT. See you then!

South Africa bowler Dale Steyn, who has 3-29, on Sky Sports: "I've been wanting to get back for a while now after being injured in India. To bowl 16 overs, I'm pretty happy with how things went today.

"You always want to get the first wicket, especially if that's the captain. It felt like the weight of the world was lifted off my shoulders. I was very excited - just to get going and spark the team a little bit. That's my role.

"The match is kind of even. We would have loved to take a wicket or two more. That big partnership put a dampener on our side but they didn't get away from us.

"Hopefully we can put them under pressure tomorrow. If we can hit our straps tomorrow morning hopefully things will happen for us."

Will Lindley-Nash: People were not complaining when Trott spent hours at the crease at number 3. Compton is doing a great job.

England batsman James Taylor, who made 70, on Sky Sports: "It's never ideal getting out, but so late in the day and with it getting dark, it was frustrating to say the least.

"On a whole we're pretty happy with where we're at. The way Compo applied himself was excellent. The conditions couldn't have been more perfect for the South Africa bowlers.

"I was trying to be as busy as possible and as positive as possible. I couldn't let Steyn settle."

Kieran Gilbert: Selectors should take some credit for today's performance. Compton's inclusion has added steel to the middle order.

Simon Dobson: @englandcricket, external going well in this first Test, getting through a testing first day. Compton and Taylor excellent, Steyn superb!

Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

"South Africa might have been thinking it would be a great day after they had got three wickets, but it's been England's day, even though they lost Taylor at the end. England will be pretty happy with that tonight. I don't think they are in a winning position, but they're in a nice position. At 49-3 they might just have gone under. But they didn't."

Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

"When Taylor gets over his disappointment, he will be pleased with that innings. He looked comfortable; he's not overawed. He feels much more at home."

Garth Dowson, in reply to Roland Denham's question about where the ball is kept overnight, writes...

"As an umpire who prides himself on being immaculate on the field of play, the last place a wet ball would go is in my pocket! Generally will live in the umpires room, locked up."

Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

"Compton is under a lot of pressure. He plays cautiously. But if someone gets us through a difficult period, I'm all for it. He solidified the possible hiccup England could have had and sealed one end. I don't care about strike-rates in Test cricket."

Rachel T: Well played England - intense contests need intense participants. Steyn v Compton!

Puv Samra: I bet South Africa would have loved to have had someone like Compton for the India series.

Dale Steyn was the pick of the Proteas bowling attack. He bowled with pace and hostility to finish with figures of 15.1-3-29-3 for the day.

One of the best of a very rare breed.

David Jones: In the era of batting collapses Nick Compton is exactly what we need - steady, focused and immovable rock at number three.

Nick Compton ended the day 63 not out off 179 balls, but James Taylor was dmissied around 15 minutes before the close when he feathered the irrepressible Dale Steyn behind.

Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

"Hales played a poor shot on his debut - he aimed an extravagant shot at a wide ball. It was a sucker ball. That's the way he plays. But it's that sort of ill discipline that will find out at this level. He has to take a little more care and attention with his defence. We won't judge him after one innings, but if he keeps getting out like that he'll have a very short Test career."

When Joe Root was out lbw to rookie off-spinner Dane Piedt, England were 49-3.

However, County Championship stalwarts Nick Compton and James Taylor stepped up to the plate.

They gradually blunted the South Africa attack to record patient half-centuries.

Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

"It was all about the pitch in the morning because it looked an uninviting time to be batting. When England were finally put in to bat, the pitch didn't play that badly."

South Africa won the toss - I don't think One Direction had been formed when Alastair Cook last won one of those - and asked England to bat first.

Cook fenced at one from Dale Steyn and was out for a duck, while Alex Hales was caught behind.

And what a day it's been. Proper cricket, if you like.

It's been more hard-fought than a night out in Wigan, but England just about have their noses in front.