Dom Sibley's maiden Test century and an extraordinary 47-ball 72 from Ben Stokes allowed England to declare shortly after lunch on the fourth day here, setting South Africa 438 to win.
England enjoyed a staggering morning session, smashing 157 runs in 27 overs to move the game on rapidly.
Five overs after lunch, Joe Root declared with the score on 391 for eight, asking South Africa to chase a world-record total. Sibley finished 133 not out.
Stokes joined Sibley, who was on 85 overnight, and immediately launched into a vicious display of hitting on the ground that he smashed Test cricket’s fastest double-century four years ago.
It appeared he was on course to record England’s fastest Test century, which Gilbert Jessop scored 118 years ago against Australia.
But he holed out at long-on to Keshav Maharaj attempting to hit a fourth six to go with his seven fours. By then, Faf du Plessis had posted eight men on the fence in a bid to stem Stokes’ rapid scoring.
At the other end, Sibley’s progress was more sedate. The opener contributed just five of the pair’s 50 partnership.
But patient Sibley hit a fine boundary through point, then swept Maharaj hard for four to move to a 269-ball century in his fourth Test.
It is a particularly pleasing one for England, who are set to be without Rory Burns for the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka, as he likely needs surgery on the ankle he injured last week.
Before lunch Ollie Pope was bowled and Jos Buttler departed trying to ramp Anrich Nortje. Buttler had already hit a pair of sweet sixes, though, while Sibley smashed Maharaj to cow corner for his first Test six.
At lunch, England led by 421 and after the break Sam Curran was caught at midwicket but Sibley charged on. South Africa made a bright start to their second innings, with Pieter Malan and Dean Elgar both hitting their first ball for four.
England lost a review when Stuart Broad thought he had Malan lbw, only for DRS to reveal an inside edge. After 10 overs, they were 26 without loss.
Meanwhile, Worcestershire seamer Pat Brown has been ruled out of the white-ball leg of the tour with a stress fracture of the back.
