10.10am: Job done for the England attack, they'll now be hoping for a good, long rest. Big Vern couldn't get SA to 300, but he's got an important job to do with the ball - this could be just the sort of surface for him, having seen the success Curran had operating with a similar modus operandi. Back in a mo for the start of the England dig

"Why the complaints about Pringles and cheese? Both can be highly enjoyed by any age group. Sounds like good snacks to munch on during the cricket." Indeed, Dave Fern. There's room for all sorts in this tent

Happy to give the strike to Nortje, a man with four f/c fifties to his name

At the other end, Sam Curran gets a chance for his five-for

"@Alan...quick question: can sa reach 300?" They can, amlaan. Just need to add 23 runs. Whether they will or not, I don't know

Here come the players, Anrich Nortje is the new batsman, with two balls of Stuart Broad's over still to bowl. Can he hang around and give England something else to grumble about?

9.55am: Back underway shortly, but I'm sure there's room on your plate for a couple of morsels. England's players have been battling the depredations of a local bug during a disrupted build-up, so they were thankful of the tonic provided by Sam Curran, writes George Dobell. South Africa haven't had things easy recently, either, and their batsmen still have a few posers to answers, says Firdose Moonda.

"Hello Alan," chirps Thaddeus Deck, "after an interesting first date who would you say would be on top. Also if England take the last wicket early would the innings break would be shorter?" First date? Well, I suppose it was hot and sweaty out there. But both sides are lacking a bit of chemistry... I'd say things are pretty even at this stage. England will be hopeful of getting 400, once they get in, but SA have the firepower to ensure that 270+ is competitive. And like I said, you wouldn't fancy batting last with the game in the balance

9.45am: So, a bit cloudier in Centurion, and there's also the prospect of some thundery showers. That might well suit South Africa's bowlers, as much as England's batsmen. Already there are some indentations and cracks showing in this pitch... wouldn't want to be left chasing a significant target in the fourth innings here.

Here's Whiizbang: "Good morning! It's actually two days after Christmas, but apart from that minor quibble, I think we are in for an engrossing match of wits today!" I think you need to ready my first sentence again, cobber...

"Pringles," splutters Master Splinter, "wot am I 5? Chrissie is blatantly cheesles time of year." Pick your weapon and stick by it. Just make sure you're stuffed to the gunnels

9.30am: Greetings. It's the day after the day after Christmas, but I doubt many of England's bowlers will be feeling in festive mood when they creaked out of bed this morning. Having toiled hard for nine wickets yesterday, they must head back out at SuperSport Park to finish the job. Then it will be up to the batsmen to try and bestow the gift of some feet-up time - though Kagiso Rabada, Vernon Philander and Anrich Nortje might have something to say about that. It should be engrossing stuff, well worth your attention as you try to work out the best way of removing a Pringles can from either hand.

Here's George Dobell with an update from the ground: "Morning from the Park. First the health report: Mark Wood is the latest to succumb. He joins Jack Leach, Ollie Pope and Chris Woakes in quarantine at the hotel. Sam Dickason, the security manager, and Greg Stobart, the digital manager, are ill, too. They tell us Ben Stokes 'has improved and is feeling fine'. Bit cooler today. Might that delay the cracks in the pitch opening and help England bat today? Maybe."

5.35pm: Honours even? England wanted to bowl, South Africa wanted to bat, but probably neither wanted things to pan out quite as they did. England didn't bowl too well during the first part of the day, but picked up five wickets, then perhaps went a little unrewarded later on. Quinton de Kock, too, would have wanted five runs more, and a sixth Test hundred to show for his efforts. Sam Curran and Stuart Broad were the main men for England, after James Anderson marked his 150th Test by taking a wicket from the first ball of the day and with Ben Stokes battling ill health. Plenty more to come in this Test, but the series is up and running - Valkerie's report is in, and then Miller and myself will be back for more in the morning. Go find yourself some leftover turkey. Bye!

"Given that South Africa were 111 for 5 I think failing to bowl them out by the close is a perverse achievement!" chuckles James