Summary

  • Amla 157*, Du Plessis 51*

  • Amla dropped on 76 & 120

  • De Villiers 88 - only wicket to fall in day

  • SA need 430 to avoid follow-on

  • England lead 1-0 in four-match series

Live Reporting

Marc Higginson, Justin Goulding and Jack Skelton

  1. Get Involved

    Text 81111

    Jonathan W: (Re 11:54) Bit of a man crush on Jimmy Anderson there Justin?  

  2. SA 248-2 (follow-on target: 430)

    James Anderson reactsAFP/GETTY

    Joe Root is in conversation with bowler Broad, the vice-captain doing a very serviceable impression of a fisherman showing how big his catch is. What on earth could he be describing? Suggestions on a postcard/email/tweet/text please. The accurate Broad finds Amla's outside edge as he drives firmly, but it's well short of Anderson at second slip. Puffed-out cheeks all round.

  3. Remembering the great man

  4. SA 247-2 (trail by 382)

    Hashim AmlaReuters

    As well as Amla and De Villiers are batting, it's worth reminding yourself of that deficit. If South Africa can survive, it will probably take them until deep into tomorrow to wipe it out, and even then they will have to bat last in this match. De Villiers helps Anderson down to fine-leg when the bowler strays in line.

  5. Cape Town limericks

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    Freddie in London: At the flattest pitch in all the Cape, Ben Stokes went on an incredible jape. But then Hash and AB arrived at the party and a draw now we shall not escape.

  6. SA 243-2 (Broad 16-4-45-0)

    There's very little margin for error on this pitch, and what margin there is isn't short of a length. Broad fails to get it full enough and De Villiers rises up on his toes to cut with style and power. That got the applause it deserved from the crowd. Then a muted appeal for lbw. Too high, way too high.

    AB De VilliersGetty Images

  7. Return to form

    Hashim Amla 2015BBC Sport

  8. SA 238-2 (trail by 391)

    Anderson's barnet, in contrast to his new-ball partner, is immaculate, a fulsome mop of thick brown hair which would not look out of place in one of those glossy aftershave adverts in a men's magazine. Silky smooth. The cricket? Two off the first ball before Anderson recovers his radar.

  9. Get Involved

    #bbccricket

    Sam Richardson: "I'll watch the cricket til we get a wicket then start revision and have a productive day." It's the thought that counts right?

  10. SA 236-2 (Amla 111, De Villiers 72)

    Stuart Broad, sweat-drenched hair streaked across his forehead in the manner of a man who has just climbed out of the shower, gets the call from Alastair Cook. Wide on the crease and angling the ball in, Broad sees a mistimed De Villers drive take the third-wicket partnership to 150.

  11. Michael Vaughan
    Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

    "The extra bounce with the new ball has given England hope and in the next 10-15 overs they have to strike. They have got to get two or three wickets or it could end being a very long day."

  12. new ball

    New ball

    SA 234-2 (trail by 395)

    Indeed the new ball has been taken - but James Anderson, England's premier quick bowler, drifts down leg with his first delivery back. Amla doesn't miss out on those, certainly not with a century to his name. Anderson ends the over with two lifters which leave Amla off the seam. He didn't play a shot to either, but that lateral movement will delight the England bowlers.

  13. Michael Vaughan
    Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

    "Runs will come a little bit easier than we've seen. In the last hour you sense South Africa have got more confident and there have been more bad balls as the day has gone on. But it is still a deficit of 395."

  14. SA 230-2 (trail by 399)

    Stokes short, in the channel outside off. De Villiers content to shoulder arms after Amla pockets another leg-side single. The new ball is due and out trots fourth umpire Shaun George with the new cherry...

  15. Get Involved

    #bbccricket

    Jay: Can't help but admire a batsman who can score 100 in 31 balls and hold fort with 43 from 297 balls with the equanimity of a monk.

  16. SA 229-2 (Moeen 22-6-65-0)

    AB De Villiers and James TaylorReuters

    Moeen, round the wicket, is still searching for something from this pitch. There are a couple of darker brown patches outside leg stump where the quick bowlers have followed through, but nothing to worry the batsmen. Certainly not when Moeen drops short and De Villiers pulls again for four - and has James Taylor ducking for cover at short leg.

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

    "Stokes has run in hard and mixed it up with a few short balls. Moeen hasn't quite been on his game and has given the batsmen a few freebies. It is "Sweatsville Arizona" out there and meant to be 37 degrees tomorrow. If England are still out there then they are certainly going to be feeling it." 

  18. SA 225-2 (trail by 404)

    Surely England will take the second new ball at the earliest opportunity? I'd be amazed if they didn't. Even one that's 77 overs old whistles off Amla's bat as he pushes Stokes firmly through point for three. De Villiers collects a couple of his own with a Jonathan Trott-like whip off his hips. Runs coming freely now.

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

    "Hashim doesn't try to be anyone but himself. With all he has been through, there is no better way to respond than with a hundred and hopefully that will give him confidence with his decision-making as a leader."

  20. 6 runs

    SA 219-2 (trail by 410)

    AB de VilliersGetty Images

    Bosh! Moeen errs in length and De Villiers rocks back and pulls the off-spinner high over mid-wicket for six. The second maximum of the innings. Roll on the new ball, which is available in three overs.