Ben Stokes hit 258 and Jonny Bairstow 150 not out as England declared on 629-6 midway through the second session.
Their partnership of 399 was finally broken when Stokes got himself run-out while watching how AB de Villiers dropped the easiest of catches off Kagiso Rabada’s bowling. However, De Villiers reacted quickly enough to have a throw at the stumps as Stokes was stuck outside the crease, ball-watching.
As soon as Bairstow reached 150 the declaration came as England are confident they will have to bat only once in this Test. After spending 125 overs in the field under the Cape Town sun, South Africa now have to go bat against a strong bowling attack led by the fit again James Anderson and Stuart Broad.
Stokes and Bairstow’s partnership is the highest for any wicket scored in South Africa and the highest partnership for the sixth wicket in Test history.
England’s total of 629 is also the highest ever score at Newlands, surpassing the previous best of 559 achieved in 1938.
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