Marcus Trescothick was 36 not out and fellow left-hander Mark Butcher 33 not out with the five-match series all square at 1-1.

England were 232 behind after South Africa had rallied to 342 in their first innings.

South Africa were handicapped by the loss of pace bowler Monde Zondeki in the 21-year-old Test debutant's second over.

Zondeki, who earlier made a career-best 59, left the field with a left side strain.

According to a South Africa spokesman Zondeki was "unlikely to bowl again today (Friday)."

The Proteas were already without leading fast bowler Shaun Pollock after the former captain had returned to Durban to witness the birth of his daughter.

And Zondeki's departure after 1.5 overs left them with four fit bowlers on the field, none of them spinners as South Africa, like England, opted for an all-pace attack.

Makhaya Ntini, who earlier posted a Test-best 32 not out, took the lone wicket to fall when he had England captain Michael Vaughan playing on for 15.

Vaughan, on his home ground, was unlucky to see a defensive shot bounce, spin back and clip the top corner of leg stump.

England were now 27 for one but that was as good as it got for the Proteas.

Butcher brought up England's fifty with a square cut four off medium-fast bowler Andrew Hall.

Ntini, after a mean opening spell of one for 10 in seven overs, was replaced by Zondeki.

Trescothick straight drove him for four before Zondeki was forced to leave the field.

Jacques Kallis completed the over and Zondeki's absence meant Dewald Pretorius, whose opening two overs cost 18 runs, was brought back.

England's hundred came courtesy of Trescothick's dismissive four off Kallis.

Earlier Gary Kirsten's 130, his 18th Test hundred and fifth against England, was the cornerstone of South Africa's innings.

Together with Zondeki he put on a South African record-equalling 150 for the eighth wicket.

Theirs was a key stand after the Proteas had slumped to 142 for seven.

Zondeki batted for over three hours facing 128 balls including 10 fours for what was a career-best score in only his 16th first-class match, his partnership with Kirsten lasting 45 overs.

Debutant Kabir Ali led England's attack with three for 80 from 22 overs.