Nicholas Smith: Average score on the first day at Newlands is 272-7. Surely England would feel disappointed with that score after being 167-2?

The shadows are starting to lengthen at Newlands, with the imposing floodlights creating large silhouettes on the bowler's run-up. Ben Stokes continues to look in pristine nick as he plays a straight batted drive through mid-on for four.  He then clubs another boundary, this time through the off side. Runs are coming thick and fast for the Durham bruiser.

Djamel Makhlouf: 350 is the bare minimum acceptable score for England. You wouldn't put money on them getting it though!

Image source, James Francis

James Francis: There’s no argument, the best cricket ground in the world is simply The Upper at Sherborne School. Even has its own microclimate.

Alison Mitchell
BBC Test Match Special

"There's a beach ball that's made its way into Newlands, being tossed around underneath the oak trees, as well as a very long beer snake!"

Image source, Rex Features

Everyone watching this game - bar Hashim Amla and Stiaan van Zyl - cannot believe the South Africa captain has given another over to his part-time medium pacer with England wobbling. Ben Stokes doesn't take any bait though and limits himself to a single to the boundary rider. 

Jonathan Horrocks: Sloppy from England this. We need a big innings from Bairstow and Stokes.

Andrew Samson
BBC Test Match Special statistician

Image source, Getty Images

"Joe Root has made five fifties since his most recent century, against Australia at Trent Bridge in August."

Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

"I think South Africa have done alright today, England have not got away. They won the toss and got the chance to bat on a hot sunny day on a flat pitch. Remember two of South Africa's seam bowlers and their spinner are new to Test cricket."

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

Image source, Getty Images

"Rabada rattled him with a good short ball at one stage but since then he's just played with such a good tempo, rotated the strike and looked busy on both the back and front foot. He's looked like a man in form who knows what he wants to do."

50 for Root (off 78 balls)published at 67.3 overs

67.3 overs

Eng 221-4

Image source, Getty Images

Players like Joe Root are born once every 25-30 years. He really is special. No matter who the bowler, what the pitch and whatever conditions he is faced with, he delivers. After a glorious drive down the ground takes him to within a single of another half-century, he brings up the landmark with a deft one to mid-wicket.

Time for some wobbly seam-up from Styiaan van Zyl who has a man on the drive in case England go driving. It's all a bit obvious. Like leaving your car keys in the engine... if your motor gets nicked, you've only yourself to blame. A single brings up the 50 partnership. Momentum shifting.

Image source, Gavin Cookman

Gavin Cookman: Milton Abbey School.

Ben Stokes looks like he might go hard at Chris Morris, but then plays an extravagant leave. Rather like a boxer threatening to lead with the jab but then realising he might get flattened by a sucker-punch if he goes through with it. Just one from the over.

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

Image source, Getty Images

"There's just a little acceleration from England. Since that review they've managed to hit a few boundaries. From a South African perspective, with 16 overs before the new ball they would have been hoping for one more wicket "

Eng 215-4 (Root 43, Stokes 23)published at 65 overs

65 overs

Image source, Rex Features

Ben Stokes has, unfairly, got a reputation with some as a bit of a slogger because he hits the ball so hard. He's actually one of the most technically correct in the England side, pushing a single down the ground to turn the strike over.

Then, after watching Joe Root hit another boundary, he slog-sweeps the spinner for six. What was I saying?

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

"Morkel hasn't quite found the right length consistently today." 

Image source, Rex Features

Dreamy stuff from Joe Root, who stands on his toes in the crease and caresses four through the off side to start up chants of Rooooooooooooooooooooooooot! in the stands. The boy's special.