Ian Bradley: This England performance feels pivotal, like all great sides they force the advantage and hammer it home relentlessly.

Ben Thapa: Is Stokes is the new Flintoff? No. Not the same bowler yet: conversely I don't remember Fred playing a knock quite like this.

Image source, Getty Images

The England dressing room, to a man, stands and applauds Ben Stokes who raises his bat and, in a shy sort of way, acknowledges the crowd.

Coach Paul Farbrace stands clapping with the proud expression you'd expect from a father figure, Stuart Broad is standing tall and looking as proud as punch while Joe Root giggles like a cheeky schoolboy who's just seen his mate do something very, very special.

Easily one of the best Test match innings of our time. Certainly one of the best by an Englishman.

Jonny Bairstow hits Chris Morris through the covers for four. His hundred seems inevitable now.

He'll have to wait until after lunch now though. England march off for some well-earned refreshments. Cake all round.

South Africa? They're going to spend the next 40 minutes staring awkwardly at the dressing room floor and avoiding all eye contact.

Image source, Rex Features

Russ King: Time to declare and let Ben Stokes open the bowling! #bbccricket

Jonny Huntridge: Is Ben Stokes going to open the bowling after he's retired on 305 not out in about half an hour? #bbccricket #benstokes

Benjamin Watts: Wakes up. Checks cricket score. Jaw drops. Take a bow Ben Stokes, what a phenomenal knock. #SAvENG #bbccricket

The question now is when will England declare? They are so far ahead of the game, they can afford to head for the 600-mark. That, of course, also gives Jonny Bairstow the chance to hit his maiden Test century. It's easy to forget the supporting hand played by the wicketkeeper here, but he's closing in on a personal milestone of his own - two more coming with a poke through the off side.

Between overs, South Africa fielders pass Ben Stokes and shake his hand. They realise the enormity of this achivement. They've been pulverised.

Ashley Paul: Re: Best England innings ever - I see what you're saying but I was always quite fond of a gritty, match-saving Collingwood ton.

Chris Corfield: Ben Stokes will never have world class averages with bat/ball. But he can devastate teams and win matches in the blink of an eye

John M Butt: Looks like we have a decent squad here with England. Leave it alone to gel and let us enjoy the cricket. We have entertainment.

Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

Image source, Reuters

"You've seen something special. You don't get 200s like that very often. Very rare."

Jonathan Agnew
BBC Test Match Special

"What an astonishing innings. This man has played an innings that no-one here will ever forget. They are all standing and applauding something that has been absolutely magnificent."

200 for Ben Stokes (off 163 balls)published at 109 overs

109 overs

Eng 500-5

Ben Stokes keeps us waiting for his 200. Four dots... and then he hammers Morne Morkel for four. His maiden double-century brings up the team 500. And while the celebration for his 100 was exuberant, he looks a bit more measured when raising his bat and removing his helmet for his 200.

"Have I really just done this?"

Yes, Ben. You have. Hero.

Ben Stokes is human! He misses a Chris Morris yorker and is a coat of paint from being bowled. But he's still there. On 198 not out.

Dreading going back to work after Christmas tomorrow?

At least, you're not Chris Morris. He's given another bowl at Ben Stokes, having gone for 68 runs off 46 balls against the left-hander... who gives himself room and smites the first ball of the latest spell for four. Brutal.