Cape Town: Ollie Pope gave England's travelling fans something to cheer about late on an otherwise disappointing first day of the second Test for England against South Africa at Newlands on Friday. "I've never had that many people chant my name like that," said Pope. Pope made 56 not out in an England total of 262 for nine on a day when the tourists, 1-0 down in the four-match series, failed to take advantage of what looked like a good batting pitch. He gave the total some respectability - and earned the cheers of English supporters, who probably made up half of a capacity crowd.

But South African seam bowler Dwaine Pretorius said he felt England were around 70 runs short of a par total. Before Pope prospered in a unbeaten last wicket stand of 28 with James Anderson, six England batsmen perished for scores between 29 and 47. It was a tribute to the pressure exerted by the South African bowlers, who shared the wickets. Vernon Philander, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje and Pretorius took two each, while left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj kept a tight rein on the batsmen while sending down 27 overs and taking one for 68.