South Africa beat England by 107 runs in first Test

In the end, it all fell apart rather quickly for England. At 204 for 3, things looked possible with Ben Stokes and Joe Root at the crease. England could have become the first team to ace two 300-plus chases in a single year.

However, Anrich Nortje and Kagiso Rabada collaborated to dismantle any hopes that had built up in the England camp keeping the visitors to 268 and sealing a 107-run win.

Small periods of play had a huge impact on the day as things unfolded. South Africa made a brilliant start to the day as Joe Denly and Rory Burns were able to manage just 18 in the first 45 minutes. Burns eventually ran out of patience as he pulled a short ball from Nortje and was caught at mid-on. Denly was trapped in front by Dwaine Pretorius as England's advantage from the final session yesterday was quickly nullified.

The second decisive period came in the second session. England had just crossed 200 and with the new ball about ten overs away, they were looking to chip away at the target knowing well that both Rabada and Vernon Philander will be itching to make use of the new cherry. That's when Faf du Plessis decided to take a gamble on Keshav Maharaj. The spinner was welcomed into the attack with two boundaries from Stokes and one from Root.

Stokes was trying to take on Maharaj but one small mistake and South Africa had the opening they were desperately searching for. Trying to late cut an incoming delivery, Stokes was beaten by the sharp turn and lost his poles. South Africa soon snapped up the new ball and made full use of it to end the game inside two sessions on the day. Jonny Bairstow's recklessness cost him as he chased a wide one from Rabada and was caught at gully.

Root too offered a needless poke at a Nortje delivery in the 88th over and was caught behind for 48. This was the first Test in South Africa where he failed to register a fifty-plus score having done it in the previous eight occasions. Sam Curran, Jofra Archer and Stuart Broad were left with too much to do with and fell cheaply. Jos Buttler tried to hit his way out and failed as Rabada picked four to wrap things up just before tea.

Brief scores: South Africa 284 (Quinton de Kock 95; Sam Curran 4-58) & 272 (Rassie van der Dussen 51; Jofra Archer 5-102) lead England 181 (Vernon Philander 4-16) & 268 (Rory Burns 84; Kagiso Rabada 4-103) by 205 runs.