A record 10th-wicket partnership saw England amass a formidable first-innings total before rampaging through the home team’s batting order to take a stranglehold on the game and move closer to a series victory.
The home side’s confidence had already taken a hefty knock when their bowlers were subjected to a bashing from tailenders Stuart Broad and Mark Wood, whose 82-run partnership was a record for the last wicket at the Johannesburg venue. Wood led the way in the evening session with 3 wickets for 21 as England removed Pieter Malan , Rassie van der Dussen , Dean Elgar , Faf du Plessis and Temba Bavuma with their five-man seam attack generating real pace of the quick wicket.
There were also half-centuries for captain Joe Root and Ollie Pope and a valuable 32 from Chris Woakes in his first appearance on the tour. Nortje took a maiden test five-wicket haul.