The Proteas took a lead of 300 into lunch, thanks to a 91-run partnership between Rassie van der Dussen and Anrich Nortje, with the former scoring a maiden half-century on debut, writes Khalid Mohidin.
It was a bitter-sweet end to Day 2 when the Proteas lost four wickets for 62 runs.
Night-watchman Nortje survived 20 mins on Day 2 and produced an extremely effective cameo on day three.
His 91-run partnership with Van Der Dussen took the Proteas from 74/2 at the start of day 3 to 153/5 by the fall of his wicket.
Van Der Dussen was the stand-out performer, scoring his maiden half-century on debut, although Nortje must be commended for his fighting spirit. He has now scored a half-century on debut in all three formats for the Proteas.
Two particular moments summed up Van Der Dussen’s efforts. It came in the 34th over, when he played two beautiful cover drives off the bowling of Stuart Broad to take him into the 40s.
He managed to reach his half-century but lost his wicket shortly after, sent back to the pavilion by Jofra Archer on 51 off 67 balls.
Quinton de Kock came to the crease and hit consecutive sixes, pulling Archer who had just dismissed Van Der Dussen lbw.
Nortje’s fight ended, Archer making up for his underwhelming first-innings, picking up his fourth wicket by dismissing the tail-ender for 40 off 89 balls.
Ben Stokes then dismissed Dwaine Pretorius on 7 to bring out Vernon Philander.
De Kock continued his attacking approach. He raced to 30 off 17 balls (3 sixes, 2 fours).
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