Eng steady after De Kock ton

England captain Alastair Cook made his first half-century of the series to keep his team in contention on the second day of the fourth and final Test against South Africa at SuperSport Park on Saturday.

England were 138 for two at the close of play after Quinton de Kock's maiden Test century took South Africa to a first innings total of 475.

Cook, who had scored only 103 runs in six innings in the first three Tests, batted solidly to finish unbeaten on 67.

England lost Alex Hales early, when he sliced a drive against Kagiso Rabada to Dane Piedt at point after making 15.

Nick Compton helped Cook add 56 for the second wicket before he fell victim to a ball from Rabada which shot through low and trapped him in front for 19. Joe Root kept Cook company and was unbeaten on 31.

The left-handed De Kock made 129 not out off 128 balls as he and the South African tailenders frustrated the England bowlers on a hot, humid day.

Kyle Abbott helped De Kock add 50 for the eighth wicket and Piedt shared a ninth wicket stand of 82 with the South African wicketkeeper. De Kock was the third centurion in the innings and joined debutant Stephen Cook in making his first Test hundred.

Stokes was England's most successful bowler, taking four for 86.

SCORES IN BRIEF
SOUTH AFRICA: First innings 475 all out (De Kock 128 not out, Cook 115, Amla 109; Stokes 4-86, Broad 2-91, Ali 2-104)
ENGLAND: First innings 138 for 2 (Cook 67 not out, Root 31 not out; Rabada 2-55)