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Johannesburg: England's Joe Root scored a dazzling century to reverse the momentum of the third Test after South Africa looked set to take control in Johannesburg on Friday.
Replying to the Proteas' 313, England were wobbling at 22-2 and 91-4.
But Root combined with Ben Stokes to counter-attack in a fifth-wicket stand of 111 made at a rate of seven an over.
After Stokes fell for 58, Root moved to three figures and was 106 not out when bad light and rain ended day two 80 minutes early with England 238-5.
What made the effort of Root and Stokes all the more outstanding was its contrast to the rest of the England batting, as the majority of the top order struggled on a lively pitch against a hostile South Africa attack.
As England teetered, they responded by flaying the Proteas to all parts of the Bullring to give the tourists, 1-0 up in the four-match series, every chance of earning a first-innings lead.
When James Taylor inside-edged Morne Morkel to short leg, England were 222 behind with six first-innings wickets remaining in conditions that seemed perilous for batting.
Stokes was almost hit on the jaw by Morkel from the second ball he faced, but when he hooked his fifth ball from Kagiso Rabada for six, it began an exhilarating passage of play.
The South Africa bowlers, previously rampant, were left short of ideas, just as they were when Stokes plundered 258 in the second Test in Cape Town.
Root scored all around, with cuts, pulls and some flowing straight drives, while Stokes whipped off his pads, slashed through third man and played one disdainful lofted drive off Morkel that encapsulated England's dominance.
Morkel would have his revenge, holding Stokes' leading edge off his own bowling, but Root completed his century with a wonderful cover drive and had added 36 with Jonny Bairstow at more than five an over when the weather intervened.
Brief scores
South Africa - 313 (Elgar 46, Stokes 3-53)
England - 238 for 5 (Root 106*, Stokes 58)
Status - England trail by 75 runs
