Stewart played his part in a stirring England fightback which steered them into an 18-run lead on 502 for seven by the close of the third day, having been given a standing ovation as he walked out to the crease while the South Africa players formed a respectful guard of honour.

But it was Trescothick who received an equally enthusiastic response with a career-best display and emphatically ended any suggestions that he should move down the order while he rediscovers his form.

The Somerset left-hander demonstrated his class with a virtuoso display to reach 219 and completed a good news day after Graham Thorpe marked his return to Test cricket by also claiming a comeback century.

Thorpe seemed particularly eager to reach three figures and scored the lion's share of the 106 runs accumulated during the morning session, which finished with a standing ovation from the crowd after Trescothick reached three figures just four overs before lunch by pulling Paul Adams for his 19th boundary.

Thorpe (124) followed him to three figures in the afternoon session, a significant achievement in his first Test innings for 14 months and his first Test century at his home county ground.

Ed Smith delayed the Stewart accolades for a further hour, scratching around for 16 before falling lbw to Andrew Hall, to allow the arrival of the guest of honour with England needing a further 105 runs for parity.

Stewart took his time to get off the mark, but did so in style by smashing his 17th ball from Hall through the covers for the first of six boundaries before falling lbw to Pollock.

Trescothick attempted one flamboyant shot too many and hooked Makhaya Ntini straight to Jacques Rudolph in the deep.

The untimely exit of Trescothick was underlined only five overs later with Ashley Giles edging Kallis to second slip and, having set their sights on a major first-innings advantage, England will now have to battle for a lead of note.

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