South Africa were left with a tricky half hour to negotiate before lunch as the storm clouds gathered overhead.

The openers were not able to see it through though as Kate Cross had Andrie Steyn caught by Nat Sciver at gully.

The rain arrived a few balls later to leave the tourists 9-1, trailing by 124, as the players take lunch and wait for the rain to abate.

Image source, BBC Sport

The 86-run stand for the seventh wicket was eventually broken by Nonkululeko Mlaba. Ecclestone trapped lbw for 35.

England declared on 417-8 at the end of that over with Sciver unbeaten on 169.

After a relatively subdued start to the day, Sciver and Sophie Ecclestone dropped the hammer and pushed England's lead past 100 before another boundary for Sciver brought up the 400...

Nat Sciver played a gem of an innings, bringing up for century on day two before pushing on to reach her 150 this morning.

In doing so she became the ninth woman to bring up that milestone for England.

Before the rain came, we had another action-packed morning session.

All eyes were on England's approach and when they would really kick on...

Thanks, Ffion.

The rain has come at a good time for England, pretty much coinciding with the lunch interval. Well, provided it stops soon.

For now, the covers remain firmly in place.

Anyway, it's time for me to take a break.

I will leave you in the safe hands of Sam Drury for lunch and the afternoon session. Hopefully play will resume on time but we will keep you up to date with all the weather shenanigans.

Anya Shrubsole
Former England bowler on BBC Test Match Special

This is the perfect scenario for England. When they made that declaration this is what they would have hoped for and they've got just what they wanted in the session with that wicket.

The morning session belongs to England. Nat Sciver and Sophie Ecclestone propelled them to a first-innings lead of 133 before Kate Cross took the early breakthrough.

It's rainingpublished at 4.1 overs

4.1 overs

Issy Wong gets one ball and then it starts to hammer it down.

Andrie Steyn must be fuming with herself. She just had two survive another few balls and South Africa would've made it to lunch unscathed.

Anya Shrubsole
Former England bowler on BBC Test Match Special

The South Africans look weary and that was a shot of someone who is tired after a long stint in the field.

A faint inside edge saves Goodall.

Another great decision by the umpire.

Two in the over?!

England think so. Cross pins new batter Lara Goodall on the back leg, but Anna Harris says no.

Bit high, maybe?

Anya Shrubsole
Former England bowler on BBC Test Match Special

Great bowling by Cross with that probing line and length. Nat Sciver can do nothing wrong!

Anya Shrubsole
Former England bowler on BBC Test Match Special

England are trying to get as many overs in as they can before this lunch break. The South African batters can't really put much of a dent in the deficit, they'll just be hoping they don't get out.

Phil Long
BBC Test Match Special statistician

Henry Moeran is showing me a radar. Yes, Henry, I know it's going to rain. I can see the clouds too.

There's a lot of cloud chat going on. It is very ominous.

Wolvaardt drives firmly towards mid-on where Sophia Dunkley pulls off a dive to save three runs.

Anya Shrubsole
Former England bowler on BBC Test Match Special

You love these sessions as a bowler and a fielding side because you can give it everything and really go. Cross will be able to get some good overs in, have a rest then go again after lunch.

There are some horrible dark clouds looming over the ground, ready to be unleashed.

Meanwhile Laura Wolvaardt treats us to her sublime cover drive that races away for four. We didn't get to see it in the first innings so that was lovely viewing.