Hashim Amla's unbeaten knock of 157 contributed to a frustrating day for England's bowlers as South Africa reached stumps trailing by 276 runs on day three of the second Test in Cape Town.
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Ben Stokes dominated the second day by scoring a historic double hundred as the tourists declared on 629-6 in their first innings.
The Proteas began the day on 141-2, trailing by 488 runs, and it was a slow morning session from Amla and AB de Villiers as at one point, just two runs were scored within six overs.
England could have found the breakthrough when Amla edged to first slip, but James Anderson was unable to get a grip on the ball and it fell to the ground.
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It got worse for the tourists as De Villiers pulled up his 39th Test fifty with a four, making it the first time in nine Test that South Africa have had a century partnership.
The duo pushed the Proteas to 199-2 at lunch and soon into the afternoon session, Amla was celebrating his 24th Test century by scoring a boundary off Moeen Ali's delivery.
England tried to ramp up their attacking by forcing two reviews in two overs - the first involved Steven Finn, who diverted the ball onto the stumps once Amla aimed for down the ground, but it was ruled 'not out' as he returned to base in time.
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The second review came after De Villiers was initially given out for lbw off Stokes, but it was the wrong decision and the batsman survived, but only for a few more overs.
Finn eventually found the breakthrough for England as he forced De Villiers to send the ball straight into Anderson's hands at mid-wicket and the batsman returned to the pavilion on 88 runs off 211 balls.
South Africa still had work to do as they trailed by 339 at tea, but Amla was able to keep the hosts ticking as he brought up his seventh 150 with a single in the evening session.
England continued to struggle for ideas as Du Plessis earned a half-century off 104 balls and eventually closed the day unbeaten on 51 alongside Amla.
South Africa are 353-3.
Danielle Joynson
