South Africa beat England by 107 runs to win first test

Cricket - South Africa v England - First Test - Supersport Park, Centurion, South Africa - December 29, 2019 South Africa's Dwaine Pretorius celebrates takes a catch to dismiss England's Jos Buttler with teammates, off the bowling of Kagiso Rabada REUTERS/Rogan Ward

PRETORIA (Reuters) - South Africa swept to a 107-run victory over England on the fourth day of the first test at Centurion Park on Sunday after taking seven wickets in the second session to go ahead in the four-match series.

England, needing an improbable 376 to win, were bowled out for 268 just before tea as their bottom order offered scant resistance to a barrage of pace once South Africa had taken the second new ball.

Cricket - South Africa v England - First Test - Supersport Park, Centurion, South Africa - December 29, 2019 South Africa's Dwaine Pretorius celebrates takes a catch to dismiss England's Jos Buttler with teammates, off the bowling of Kagiso Rabada REUTERS/Rogan Ward

Kagiso Rabada proved the destroyer-in-chief with 4-103, assisted by Anrich Nortje who took three wickets for 56 runs.

"Our bowling unit was very effective and it is a massive confidence booster for our team," said South Africa captain Faf du Plessis after arresting a run of five successive test defeats.

"We played with great skills over the last two days with contributions from everyone."

Cricket - South Africa v England - First Test - Supersport Park, Centurion, South Africa - December 29, 2019 England's Jofra Archer looks dejected as he wlaks off after losing his wicket off the bowling of South Africa's Anrich Nortje, caught by Rassie van der Dussen REUTERS/Rogan Ward

England had been hoping for heroics in a delicately poised contest as they started the day on 121-1 and still looked capable of a dramatic win despite losing two wickets by lunch.

But the turning point proved the key wickets of both England captain Joe Root and potential match-winner Ben Stokes.

Stokes, who had led England's highest ever successful run chase when they scored 362-9 at Headingley to beat Australia earlier this year, was bowled by spinner Keshav Maharaj for 14 just as he and Root were increasing the run rate after England had gone to lunch on 171-3.

Cricket - South Africa v England - First Test - Supersport Park, Centurion, South Africa - December 29, 2019 South Africa's Dwaine Pretorius takes a catch to dismiss England's Jos Buttler, off the bowling of Kagiso Rabada REUTERS/Rogan Ward

The second new ball then accounted for Jonny Bairstow, who hit a boundary off Rabada before edging the second delivery of the 81st over to gully, where Zubayr Hamza took a sharp catch.

Root battled his way to 48 before being caught behind, effectively ending England's hopes.

"We turned up today with a real belief that we could win but unfortunately we weren't able to do it," he said.

Cricket - South Africa v England - First Test - Supersport Park, Centurion, South Africa - December 29, 2019 South Africa's Anrich Nortje celebrates taking the wicket of England's Jofra Archer with teammates, caught by Rassie van der Dussen REUTERS/Rogan Ward

He was undone by a fuller delivery from Nortje, playing a poor shot outside off stump and getting a nick through to wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock.

The last four wickets followed quickly thereafter as the tail was swept away by Rabada and Nortje.

Rory Burns (84) and Joe Denly (31) were dismissed before lunch to tip the contest in the home team's favour.

Cricket - South Africa v England - First Test - Supersport Park, Centurion, South Africa - December 29, 2019 England's Sam Curran looks dejected as he walks off after losing his wicket off the bowling of South Africa's Kagiso Rabada, caught by Quinton de Kock REUTERS/Rogan Ward

The teams now move onto Cape Town for the second test at Newlands from Jan. 3-7.

(Editing by William Maclean and Christian Radnedge)

Cricket - South Africa v England - First Test - Supersport Park, Centurion, South Africa - December 29, 2019 England's Joe Root looks dejected as he walks off after losing his wicket off the bowling of South Africa's Anrich Nortje, caught by Quinton de Kock REUTERS/Rogan Ward

Cricket - South Africa v England - First Test - Supersport Park, Centurion, South Africa - December 29, 2019 South Africa's Anrich Nortje celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of England's Joe Root, caught by Quinton de Kock REUTERS/Rogan Ward

Cricket - South Africa v England - First Test - Supersport Park, Centurion, South Africa - December 29, 2019 South Africa's Anrich Nortje celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of England's Joe Root, caught by Quinton de Kock REUTERS/Rogan Ward

Cricket - South Africa v England - First Test - Supersport Park, Centurion, South Africa - December 29, 2019 England's Joe Root looks dejected as he walks off after losing his wicket off the bowling of South Africa's Anrich Nortje, caught by Quinton de Kock REUTERS/Rogan Ward

Cricket - South Africa v England - First Test - Supersport Park, Centurion, South Africa - December 29, 2019 England's Ben Stokes looks dejected as he walks off after losing his wicket to South Africa's Keshav Maharaj REUTERS/Rogan Ward

Cricket - South Africa v England - First Test - Supersport Park, Centurion, South Africa - December 29, 2019 England's Ben Stokes in action REUTERS/Rogan Ward

Cricket - South Africa v England - First Test - Supersport Park, Centurion, South Africa - December 29, 2019 England's Joe Root reacts after being struck by the ball on his hand REUTERS/Rogan Ward

Cricket - South Africa v England - First Test - Supersport Park, Centurion, South Africa - December 29, 2019 South Africa's Dwaine Pretorius celebrates taking the wicket of England's Joe Denly with teammates REUTERS/Rogan Ward

Cricket - South Africa v England - First Test - Supersport Park, Centurion, South Africa - December 29, 2019 England's Joe Denly looks dejected as he walks off after losing his wicket to South Africa's Dwaine Pretorius REUTERS/Rogan Ward

Cricket - South Africa v England - First Test - Supersport Park, Centurion, South Africa - December 29, 2019 South Africa's Dwaine Pretorius celebrates taking the wicket of England's Joe Denly REUTERS/Rogan Ward

Cricket - South Africa v England - First Test - Supersport Park, Centurion, South Africa - December 29, 2019 South Africa's Anrich Nortje celebrates taking the wicket of England's Rory Burns, caught by South Africa's Kagiso Rabada REUTERS/Rogan Ward

Cricket - South Africa v England - First Test - Supersport Park, Centurion, South Africa - December 29, 2019 South Africa's Anrich Nortje celebrates taking the wicket of England's Rory Burns, caught by South Africa's Kagiso Rabada REUTERS/Rogan Ward

Cricket - South Africa v England - First Test - Supersport Park, Centurion, South Africa - December 29, 2019 South Africa's Anrich Nortje celebrates taking the wicket of England's Rory Burns, caught by South Africa's Kagiso Rabada REUTERS/Rogan Ward

Cricket - South Africa v England - First Test - Supersport Park, Centurion, South Africa - December 29, 2019 England's Rory Burns looks dejected as he walks off after being caught by South Africa's Kagiso Rabada off the bowling of Anrich Nortje REUTERS/Rogan Ward

Cricket - South Africa v England - First Test - Supersport Park, Centurion, South Africa - December 29, 2019 South Africa's Kagiso Rabada bowls REUTERS/Rogan Ward