Ruthless South Africa verge on victory against drained and demoralised England

South Africa (284 & 197-7) lead England (181) by 300 runs: Rassie van der Dussen and nightwatchman Anrich Nortje made a 91-run partnership as illness hit the toiling tourists

South Africa’s lead at lunch on day three is 300, and yet that only tells half the story of one of the most demoralising mornings this England team has had.

Never mind the frustration of a 91-run partnership between Rassie van der Dussen and No 11 Anrich Nortje, acting as the nightwatchman, which extended the host’s overnight lead to 266. Illness, once again, had its merry way with the touring party.

Upon arriving at the ground this morning with hopes of curtailing runs and taking wickets, wicketkeeper Jos Buttler felt unwell and, upon assessment from an already busy medical team, was deemed unfit to start play. Jonny Bairstow kept in his stead, but there were further issues when skipper Joe Root had to leave the field and, for around 40 minutes, was “quarantined” with Buttler in a separate changing room next to England’s.

Ben Stokes took on captaincy duties in the meantime, bringing on Jofra Archer who in turn picked up Van der Dusssen’s wicket, leg before. By then, the No 4 had his maiden half-century in Tests, coming from 65 balls. There was a decent amount of luck in there in part because of his frenetic running: he should have been run out on 30 when taking one of many touch-and-go singles with Nortje. A direct hit would have ended his innings on 30.

The pair, to their credit, did not let the goings-on with the opposition distract them from the matter and hand, piling on the pressure with boundaries, too. Nortje, in particular, was executing some fine shots that belied his first class average of 15, and showed particular bravery against the short ball.

He, too, succumbed to Archer - knocking one off his hip and into the hands of sub-fielder Zak Crawley, for an exceptionally useful 40.

What followed was a bit of fun, albeit solely for those of South Africa allegiances. Quinton de Kock, top-scorer in the first innings with 95, came out and swung for the hills, hooking Jofra Archer three times for sixes and then slapping a dragged down knuckleball in front of square with the sort of disdain that really characterised his side’s ascendancy.

By this point, Root had returned to the changing room and tempers among the fielders were starting to fray. Stokes and Stuart Broad were seen having an emotionally charged discussion which ended on amicable terms. The all-rounder settled his stomach with the wicket of Dwayne Pretorious, who offered a healthy edge through to Dom Sibley who had taken up Root’s usual position of first slip.

At 197 for seven, de Kock’s explosiveness and Philander’s stickability ready to go again in the afternoon session, it might only take an hour for South Africa to take this game fully out of England’s grass. Yes, we’ve seen some spectacular things this year. But expecting a repeat will be asking too much of a side who already look physically drained and mentally down.