It's rainingpublished at 11:36

11:36

Eng 232-6 (trail by 243)

I spoke too soon - it's getting heavier. There are more covers now, branching out into the outfield, and it doesn't look like we'll be back in business any time soon.

Simon Mann
BBC Test Match Special

"England will have to play very well in the next two and half days to get anything out of this game."

Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

"England will be happy because they are in really precarious position, but there is still a long way to go. There are 43 runs for them to avoid the follow-on, with four wickets left. They could go quickly with the second new ball."

It's rainingpublished at 11:31

11:31

Image source, Getty Images

I wouldn't say it's heavy heavy, but certainly heavy enough to persuade the groundstaff to drag on the tarpaulins that cover the square. Just to put it in perspective, I've spotted a couple of bare-chested chaps in the crowd.

Rain stops playpublished at 76.5 overs

76.5 overs

Eng 232-6

South Africa turn to off-spinner Dane Piedt. He starts with a full toss - Moeen says thank you by spanking him through cover for his first four. Piedt improves - but the weather has taken a turn for the worse. The spectators rush for cover or cagools as the players scurry off.

Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

"I think the time has come for Kagiso Rabada to take a bit of a breather before the second new ball. Morne Morkel should come in for him until then."

The South Africa bowling figures read like one of those junior scorecards where there's one guy in the team who's miles better than everyone else. Rabada has five wickets, the other four bowlers one between them. The youngster's figures are spoiled somewhat by a Moeen forcing shot for three, followed by a leg-glanced boundary from Stokes. Ten off the over. These two won't be cowed by the position or the pitch.

Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

"If South Africa did have to make a decision about the follow-on I am pretty sure they would bat, unless they think the weather might intervene.

"It's certainly got a bit darker. But there is still plenty of time in this Test match."

The camera pans across the sky above SuperSport Park, which is looking decidedly grey and gloomy. More Chester-le-Street than Centurion. Could weather yet play a part in this match? Moeen, on the back foot, is beaten by one from Abbott that climbs and leaves him just a smidge.

Image source, Getty Images

Former South Africa wicketkeeper turned TMS summariser Mark Boucher has revealed he is helping England's Jonny Bairstow with his game during this Test in Centurion. 

Boucher, who retired in 2012 following an eye injury, played 147 Tests and holds the world record for most dismissals by a wicketkeeper with 555. 

Bairstow, 26, playing his 24th Test, approached Boucher, who said of him: "The signs are there, stick with him, a little bit of nurturing and he could be one of the greats." 

Close!published at 74 overs

74 overs

Eng 218-6 (trail by 257)

Oooh, that was almost wicket number seven. Moeen drives at Kagiso Rabada but miscues... and the ball lands just short of a diving AB de Villiers at mid-wicket. Nervy.

Peter Coles: England have clearly decided that their best chance of winning this Test is to follow on & make South Africa bat last.

Moeen Ali, who didn't even have time to make his way out to the middle before lunch, gets off the mark in similar fashion before Stokes drills Abbott on the up between the bowler's legs for four - then uppercuts at thin air. Well, we didn't think he'd come out and block out, did we...?

Stokes, the not-out batsman at lunch, tucks one off his pads to a deep mid-wicket (yes, a deep mid-wicket at 211-6) to get England under way.

Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

"England are in a pickle. 264 is the deficit, but the way Ben Stokes has been playing it's always possible to get a decent score.

"I thought James Taylor came out too aggressively. He was almost like a cat on a hot tin roof."

Thanks Stephan. More brunch than lunch, I'd say, but who's being picky...? South Africa won't have wanted a break at all given how they demolished England in the final 20 minutes before lunch. Ben Stokes and Moeen Ali are charged with repairing the damage.

Justin Goulding has lunched and slipped into the chair next to me. He'll talk you through the afternoon session.

The Albion Roar: James Taylor - awful shot. You Haven't Got A Friend here.