Taylor 70, Compton 63*; Steyn 3-29
England recover from 12-2 and 49-3
Rain delays start; bad light ends play early
SA won toss; four-Test series
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Image source, Getty ImagesRobert Wolf Petersen: Only slight concern with Compton is that he may be TOO focused, a la Ramprakash. Maybe he should go on Strictly Come Dancing.
Graeme Swann
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special
"Morne Morkel has got other strings to his bow, but in South Africa he reverts to type and bangs it into the middle of the pitch. He's more of a caught-behind man than a leg-before man."
That's either stunning judgement of his off stick, or Nick Compton just got away with one. He leaves the ball on length - Mike Hussey-like - but the cherry sails perilously close to knocking over the yellow stumps. The bowler, Morne Morkel, can't believe it.
Graeme Swann
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special
"England have dug themselves out of a hole. However, when we played here in 2009, batting was very easy on days two and three when we batted - and we won."
Dean Elgar took four wickets in the first innings of the first Test in South Africa's recent tour of India, including Che Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane. He's no mug.
He grunts as he releases the ball, like a tennis player returning a heavy serve, but Nick Compton is on easy street. Just a single.
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Geoff FP Guitar: If Bell had batted as slowly as Compton we'd have been saying he was off his game and calling for his head.
Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special
"After 50-odd overs, the pitch is spongy, like a plate of rice pudding. It's going 'boing', plop."
James Taylor is such a powerful pocket dynamo. He brings up the 100 partnership, off 227 balls, with a crunching cut through point. He's got Popeye-like muscles - and it shows in his ability to wallop a cricket ball.
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Image source, Getty ImagesJacob Arthur: Super stoked for Compton's gritty performance (slightly intended pun). Room for a quiet focused man in world of sport after all.
Jonathan Agnew
BBC Test Match Special
"Nick Compton has reminded us what he can do. He's solid and he's got a good technique."
Andrew Samson
BBC Test Match Special statistician
"Nick Compton has batted for four hours and hit three fours."
Eng 148-3
Has it all been worth it? I bet it has...
Nick Compton brings up a hard-earned half-century with two through the covers.
What a Comp-etitor. He's just so Comp-etent...
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Gerard, London: Surely the only real question surrounding Compton is whether he has an extra gear, when required?
Graeme Swann
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special
"The South Africans just seem to be willing to sit back and let something happen here."
Am I allowed to say that there's comparisons to be drawn between James Taylor and Joe Root? Like Root, Taylor is busy at the crease, runs well between the wickets, has a solid defence and appears to have an appetite for runs. South Africa have run into a brick wall here. England's middle order hasn't been this solid since Paul Collingwood hung up his blocker.
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Image source, Rex FeaturesJay: Compton has only just got back and people are already focusing on his strike rate. With their recent collapse stats, England need him.
Stuart Mitchell:I know hes only just come back into the side, but why not try Compton opening again? Does look the part, Taylor/Root 3/4 Hales 5.
Mr H: What's wrong with Cook, Compton, Taylor, Root, Hales?
South Africa turn to another part-time spinner, this time Dean Elgar.
The slow left-armer has a classical action *(sorry!).
Maiden over and drinks.
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This is Kyle Abbott's favourite ground - he's taken more first-class wickets (56) here than anywhere else, Nothing to see here - another maiden over.
Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special
"Compton's bound to feel extra pressure because he's been left out, he's got back and he'll be wanting to make some runs and keep his place. But his natural inclination to be more defensive."