"150 for five tonight, boys," screams Jonny Bairstow, urging England on. Certainly the tourists would be cockahoop with two more strikes this evening. There are 35 minutes of play left to go, less if the light intervenes. Broad shouts against FDP, gets turned down, then immediately turns to Alastair Cooks. That's leg-side, says the captain. He's right, too. 

Graeme Smith
Ex-South Africa captain on BBC Test Match Special

"It's so wonderful to watch the placement of AB de Villiers. He's so light on his feet."

Moeen with some flight and guile in front of a pretty empty Kingsmead, which is only brought to life by some English singing. Oh, lovely from De Villiers, who skips down the track to play an all-along-the-carpet straight drive.He's so easy on the eye, De Villiers. He could probably have his own calendar. 

Anand, you get your wish, with Broad coming back into the attack, complete with Barmy Army serenade. It's a good line from Broad, watched carefully by ABDV, who then eases into a lovely straight drive for four. England's mojo has temporarily been misplaced.

Image source, Reuters

Moeen back into the attack, asking the question against FDP. Outside the line? Cook, whose shades reflect the floodlights, thinks so and opts against a review. 

Graeme Smith
Ex-South Africa captain on BBC Test Match Special

"South Africa have to fight and get something out of this Test match. I felt it was important for them to get off to a good start to get some self belief with the quick turnaround between matches. It's so important for South Africa to get some good vibes out of this. The next day and a bit is so crucial for them"

Image source, Getty Images

The light continues to hold, but that cloud looms over the pavilion like the spaceship over the White House in Independence Day. I think they are making a sequel to Independence Day. And writing one to War of the Worlds. HG Wells, who wrote the War of the Worlds, was the son of a professional cricket. Tenuous literary links to cricket. Still Woakes, still the dead bat of Du Plessis. One of the more uninteresting overs you will see in Test cricket.

Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

"You wouldn't like to be bowling with that ball. It looks scrubby."

Batting is starting to look easier again, even more so when the previously shotless Du Plessis pulls a Ben Stokes short ball for four. England need to steel themselves for another effort in this last hour, one more push for another breakthrough. 

Jonathan Agnew
BBC Test Match Special

"Jonny Bairstow is hurting, you can tell by his body language. He's carrying his right hand very gingerly."

Chris Woakes is bowling as straight as possible to De Villiers. Target the pads or the stumps. Bring as many methods of dismissal as possible into play. Still no real hint of movement, De Villiers giving a lesson into how play the backward defensive stroke. That might be all from Woakes - maybe get back to spin?

Diccon Thornely: ‏Do the South African team have the most difficult surnames to make puns with in cricket?!

Stokes, all flame hair and tattoos, is running towards the looming, grey building that is rather incongruously called the Friendship Pavilion. It looks more like a 1970s tower block. It seems that Faf du Plessis is going to have to be crow-barred into playing a stroke. There's more chance of getting a darts player out of the pub.

Jonathan Agnew
BBC Test Match Special

"AB de Villiers is the big wicket. He's the one they want."

Image source, Getty Images

It feels like a time to be bowling. The sky is dark, the air heavy, the floodlights required. Is the ball shaping? Just a touch. Faf du Plessis looks to be dropping anchor in customary style - a strike-rate down below 10. Chris Jordan is on the field for England, I'm not sure who for.

Irfan Atcha: Get Broad on to get rid of De Villiers and we are laughing.

The physio pays a quick visit to Stokes, who is fit enough to bowl a decent line to De Villiers. The batsman, towel in his trousers, plays with a bat that comes down iron straight, then cuts a wide one for four. Mentioning the towel, why is that there? A very small security blanket? I'll ponder that one during the drinks break.

South Africa second innings: 109-3 (30 overs)

Batsmen: De Villiers 20, Du Plessis 2

Fall of wickets: 53-1 (Van Zyl 33), 85-2 (Amla 12), 88-3 (Elgar 40)

Bowling figures: Broad 7-2-20-0, Woakes 3-0-16-0, Finn 6-2-24-2, Stokes 4-0-18-1, Moeen 10-1-29-0

England second innings: 326 (Bairstow 79, Root 73, Piedt 5-159)

South Africa first innings: 214 (Elgar 118 not out, Broad 4-25, Moeen 4-69)

England first innings: 303 (Compton 85, Taylor 70, Steyn 4-70, Morkel 4-76)

Full scorecard