Port Elizabeth: England completed a comprehensive win by an innings and 53 runs on the fifth day of the third Test against South Africa at St George's Park on Monday, taking an unbeatable 2-1 lead in the four-match series.
England bowlers bundled out Proteas, who were following on, for 237 runs in their second innings. English skipper Joe Root and Mark Wood picked up four and three wickets respectively.
After managing just 209 runs in their first essay, the hosts failed to draw any lessons after being asked to follow-on.
The hosts resumed their innings from 102/6 on day five.
South Africa added 135 runs in losing their last four wickets, which seemed unlikely when Vernon Philander chipped a catch to midwicket off Stuart Broad three balls into the day.
Tailender Keshav Maharaj delayed the end as he had a 99-run partnership with Dane Paterson for the last wicket.
The partnership between Maharaj and Paterson was easily South Africa's best of the match and showed up an otherwise poor batting performance by the hosts.
Maharaj's resistance was cut short by Sam Curran's direct hit from mid-on. He made 71 runs. Vernon Philander (13), Kagiso Rabada (16), and Anrich Nortje (5) were all sent back to the pavilion cheaply.
It seems possible that the fourth Test in Johannesburg from Friday could be South African skipper Faf du Plessiss' last home series in charge.
This loss was South Africa's seventh defeat in their last eight Tests, the only exception being their win in the first Test against England when it seemed that radical changes in the team management might have heralded a new dawn.
Earlier, the English team scored 499 runs in their first innings and bundled out Africa for 209 in their first innings.
Ollie Pope who played an unbeaten knock of 135 runs was awarded player of the match.
England now lead the four-match series 2-1.
The final match of the series will be played at Wanderers Stadium in Sandton on January 24.
