LONDON: South Africa were 126 for eight in reply to England's first innings 353, a deficit of 227 runs, at stumps on the second day of the third Test at The Oval on Friday.
England debutant seamer Toby Roland-Jones removed all of South Africa's top four on his way to figures of four for 39 in 11 overs at the close.
Temba Bavuma was 34 not out and Morne Morkel unbeaten on two in what is the 100th Test staged at The Oval.
Earlier Ben Stokes made 112 and former England captain Alastair Cook 88 against a South Africa attack for whom seamer Vernon Philander bowled just five overs Friday before being taken to hospital for tests on what was thought to be a stomach complaint.
This four-match series is level at 1-1.