The day didn't start too well for South Africa, with centurion Jacques Kallis being dismissed early.
However, JP Duminy continued to bat fluently.
Duminy reached a well-made fifty.
However, Duminy couldn't convert his fifty into a big score, and he fell soon after.
Graham Onions, who had bowled well, got rid of Morne Morkel.
Graeme Swann though, was the star of the day for England.
Swann ended the stiff resistance of Mark Boucher to leave South Africa 8 down.
Makhaya Ntini came out to bat in his 100th Test match.
Swann picked up the final wicket to end with 5/110 as South Africa made 418.
The England openers came out with positive intent.
However, Cook didn't last long as South Africa made their first breakthrough early.
Debutant Friedel de Wet got Cook for his first international wicket.
However, Andrew Strauss (44) and Jonathan Trott (18) held firm to take England to 88/1 at the end of the day's play.