When Faf du Plessis first broke into the South Africa team and quickly became a key player, it took me by surprise. I remember him at Lancashire, where he played 25 first-class games between 2008 and 2009 and scored 984 runs at 28.11 with a best of 86 not out.

It never struck me as the type of form which would turn heads should he decide to revoke his Kolpak status.

Moeen sends down another maiden.

Milly in High Wycombe: the speed at which Stokes and Bairstow scored their runs yesterday was vital. South Africa have had a very good day thus far but England are still in a strong position to win the match with a few wickets this evening.   

Stuart Broad looks like he reapplied the zinc across the middle of his face during the tea break. Or war paint as I prefer to call it.

The rangy fast bowler sends down a wide-ish bouncer to Faf du Plessis which the batsman thinks about hooking before pulling out of the shot.

Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

"We're beginning to get quite a good side but there is no real pace bowler and they are special. You saw what Mitchell Johnson did to England."

Did you know that, on his way out to bat for his Test debut, Faf du Plessis tripped over and banged his face? You do now...

Got me thinking - what's your most embarrassing cricketing moment? Have you ever had your trousers fall down while chasing the ball to the boundary?

You get the gist. Let me know.

By the way, Moeen has just delivered a maiden to Faf.

Simon Mann
BBC Test Match Special

"Exactly the same field for Du Plessis on 15 as for De Villiers, who is on 133."

Could be a big session this. England have opened up an end with that dismissal of AB de Villiers. It has to be said, however, that Hashim Amla looks like he's booked in for bed and breakfast for the next three days. It's going to take a wrecking ball to dislodge him. Two more added to the score after tea.

Shall we play some cricket?

Thanks Jack, excellent debut that. AB de Villiers isn't a bad first wicket.

It got me thinking about my first wicket. I think it was Shane Watson.

It was probably lbw. He probably reviewed it. I probably laughed.

Well, the mid-session drinks certainly perked England up in the last hour and Cook will hoping for more of the same from his troops after tea.I'm off for a brew myself so will pass you back to the experienced hands of Marc Higginson to guide you through the third session.

Plenty of pink faces in the Cape Town sunshine but England could also soon be facing the pink ball.

Image source, Getty Images

Cricket Australia says it is keen on playing a day-night Test using the pink Kookaburra during the winter 2017-18 Ashes against England.

The first day-night Test between Australia and New Zealand drew impressive crowds in November.

Archie in Somerset: In reply to Ned from Somerset (12:44) I completely agree and I personally don't understand why different balls are used in different nations. The duke is by far the superior ball in terms of creating exciting test cricket.  

Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

"England have tried everything and you need plenty of plans on this sort of surface. The dropped catches are disappointing because England are a good fielding team but they really impressed in the last 40 minutes with Stokes and Finn, the two younger members of the attack. The real promise is Finn is back bowling at the pace we saw a few years ago."

England trying to unsettle Amla and prevent Du Plessis settling as Moeen Ali comes back into the attack. Not much turn there as Moeen's angle over the wicket allows Amla to prod a somewhat fortunate boundary through third man. A sedate final few balls, with South Africa refusing to rush, takes us through to tea.

A curious half-shot from Du Plessis to another well-directed Finn bumper, as a leading edge falls short of Moeen Ali at fine leg. Finn full of menace - maybe too much as he's called for a wide on height.

Telkers: A few curious looks in the library as I give a small fist pump at the fall of a wicket.

Evan Byrne: Finally we hold on to one!  And you have your maiden test wicket - well done Jack!

The short stuff isn't pretty when you get it wrong though. Du Plessis gets onto one from Stokes quickly and pulls through mid-wicket for four. That should be a settler for the new man. And it duly is as Stoke goes too full and Du Plessis strokes him down the ground for another boundary.

Image source, AFP/GETTY