Graeme Swann led a spirited rearguard action by the England tail as South Africa ended the third day of the first cricket Test 71 runs ahead with nine wickets in hand.
Swann, who took five for 110 in South Africa's first innings 418, struck a career-best 85 to lift England from a perilous 242 for eight to 356 all out.
Left-arm spinner Paul Harris took five for 123 and was called into action as a batting night-watchman after James Anderson bowled South African opener Ashwell Prince for a duck in the first over of the second innings.
The hosts ended the day on nine for one after four overs with Graeme Smith on six.
