South Africa vs England 2nd Test, Day 3 preview: England nose ahead but South Africa still in it

South Africa finished Day 2 at Newlands on 215/8, 54 runs behind England in the first innings. A substantial part (156) of these runs were scored by Dean Elgar (88) and Rassie van der Dussen (68); barring them, only two batsmen went past 5 – and none of them crossed 20.

At the crease is Vernon Philander, on 13. With Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje to follow, Philander will have to do the bulk of the scoring for South Africa to inch closer to that 270-run mark.

After being on top in the first session, England fell behind in the second before regaining advantage in the third. They are ahead at this stage, but only slightly. One session may shift the momentum back to South Africa.

Rabada (3/68) had James Anderson (4) poking and caught in the third over of the day to end the England innings. Ollie Pope was left stranded on 61.

But Stuart Broad (2/36) hit back, having debutant Pieter Malan (5) and Zubayr Hamza (5). Anderson (3/34) responded at the other end with the wicket of Faf du Plessis (1). All three batsmen were caught at slip. At this stage South Africa were reeling at 40/3.

Elgar and van der Dussen then added 117 to bring the hosts back into the game. Elgar assumed the dominant role, selecting his strokes well, both off the front foot and the back. Then, with the hundred in sight, he tried to clear mid-off off Dom Bess (1/62), mistimed, and was caught.

Quinton de Kock (20) then took on the attack in characteristic fashion before lobbing a slower ball from Sam Curran (2/34) to mid-off.

Van der Dussen had impressed on debut, in the previous Test, with a hundred in the second innings. After weathering the storm here for over four hours, he edged Curran to slip. Anderson then struck twice towards the end of the day.

Key players

Vernon Philander (South Africa): Philander would want to make his final hurrah at his home ground a special one. The seamers have been effective with the new ball, and few have been as prolific as him when the new ball does a bit.

Ollie Pope (England): Pope had impressed in the first innings, especially while batting with the tail. England will need someone to take on the South African fast bowlers, and few candidates can be as effective.

Brief scores

England 269 (Ollie Pope 61*; Kagiso Rabada 3/68) lead South Africa 215/8 (Dean Elgar 88, Rassie van der Dussen 68; James Anderson 3/34) by 54 runs.

Prediction

England to take a slender lead and stretch it beyond 200 by stumps.