South Africa has gone to lunch at 8-323 for in reply to England's 458 on the third day of the first test at Lord's, still trailing the hosts by 135 runs.
The home side didn't have things all their own way in a session in which three wickets fell for 109 runs.
England failed to make the best use of the new ball, as Quinton De Kock knocked Stuart Broad out of the attack in making the second fastest 50 in a Test at the ground.
Vernon Philander helped him produce a half-century partnership for the eighth wicket at almost a run-a-ball but shortly before lunch De Kock fell for 51.
Spinners Liam Dawson and Moeen Ali took a wicket in successive overs after the overnight batsmen Temba Bavuma and nightwatchman Kagiso Rabada played out the first 10 overs of the day.
England fast bowler James Anderson immediately troubled the batsmen with the new ball, catching Vernon Philander a painful blow on the hand that required treatment.
Stuart Broad was more wayward, conceding 20 runs from his first two overs, including three successive boundaries by De Kock.
Another four by De Kock off Broad took South Africa past 300 and raised a 50 partnership from only 57 balls.
Broad was withdrawn after conceding 35 from his four overs.
Ali was recalled in his place and sent to the ropes to give De Kock his 50 off only 36 balls but Stokes then took a fine low catch to dismiss him off Anderson for 51.
At lunch Vernon Philander was unbeaten on 21 with Keshav Maharaj on five.
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