It was an underwhelming Day 3 for the Proteas with clouds looming all around Newlands for what was anticipated to be an interesting contest, writes Naeemah Benjamin.

England resumed on 109/2 after the Tea break with a 155-run lead with Dom Sibley (44) and Root (7) who continued their dominance.

Dom Sibley punched Rabada through to cover and chipped the next delivery through backward point to bring up his maiden fifty. Runs continued to flow from his bat.

The skipper followed suite and notched up his 46th Test fifty alongside Dom Sibley who put England in a commanding position heading into day 4.

Dwaine Pretorius once again the man that Du Plessis could turn to. He struck a crucial blow close to end of play and a much-needed wicket for South Africa. The skipper Joe Root bowled for a brilliant 61 from 98 balls which included 7 fours.

The pair strung along a 116-run stand that frustrated the home side.

Pretty much England’s day at stumps on a somewhat quiet day, the visitors have a commanding lead of 264 runs with 6 wickets in hand.

South Africa will look for early wickets and plenty where that came from to hopefully restrict England to under 350 on a pitch that looks like it just gets better to bat on.