England completed a comprehensive win by an innings and 53 runs on the fifth day of the third Test against South Africa at St George’s Park on Monday, taking an unbeatable 2-1 lead in the four-match series. England were held up by a last wicket stand of 99 between Keshav Maharaj and Dane Paterson and it needed a direct-hit run-out by Sam Curran from mid-on to clinch the result shortly before lunch. South Africa were bowled out for 237.

The partnership between Maharaj and Paterson was easily South Africa’s best of the match and showed up an otherwise poor batting performance by the hosts.

South Africa added 135 runs in losing their last four wickets, which seemed unlikely when Vernon Philander chipped a catch to midwicket off Stuart Broad three balls into the day.

Despite the late face-saving flourish for the hosts, it was a result which was a triumph for England’s youth policy, while the way South Africa were outplayed was a devastating blow for captain Faf du Plessis and new coach Mark Boucher.

Even before Monday’s last rites there was speculation about Du Plessis’ future. He has expressed his desire to lead South Africa in the T20 World Cup in Australia in October and November, by which time he will be 36.

as South Africa’s seventh defeat in their last eight Tests, the only exception being their win in the first Test against England when it seemed that radical changes in the team management might have heralded a new dawn.

A resurgent England team bounced back from defeat at Centurion to win the second Test in Cape Town by 189 runs and they dominated in Port Elizabeth, with two 22-year-olds, batsman Ollie Pope and off-spinner Dom Bess playing significant roles.

The win extended England’s unbeaten run in Test series in South Africa, going back to 1999/2000 when Nasser Hussain’s team were beaten by a side led by Hansie Cronje. That series ended with England gaining a consolation win in a contrived finish to a Test which it was later revealed had been orchestrated by Cronje in collaboration with a bookmaker.