Michael Vaughan, who topped the world ratings earlier this year, made only 23, while Marcus Trescothick's 64 not out left the hosts on 165 for two at the close of play.

Vaughan has failed to record a half-century in the eight innings since his last Test ton. He had struck four boundaries when Shaun Pollock enticed an expansive drive for Herschelle Gibbs to hold onto the catch at third slip.

The tourists' celebrations were exaggerated by the fact it was Pollock's 300th Test victim, following only 18 others to the mark.

Trescothick took 23 deliveries to get off the mark and brought up his half-century from 129 deliveries.

While he dropped anchor, Mark Butcher found the boundary with regularity before being defeated by an Andrew Hall delivery which shaped in and trapped him lbw.

That brought Graham Thorpe to the crease on his home ground, following a year's exile from international cricket. When bad light drove the players from the field four overs before the scheduled close, he had shared 87 for the third wicket with Trescothick.

England had claimed five wickets in the opening session of the second day, with two Martin Bicknell wickets and two run-outs, but their fightback was checked by last-wicket stand, worth 52, between Pollock and Ntini.

Pollock (66) reached his half-century from his 64th delivery, a huge six over long-off from Ashley Giles' spin. But James Anderson demolished Ntini's stumps to complete South Africa's demise from 290 for one and 362 for four.

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