Amla's elegant and stoic style was markedly different to the fearless hitting of Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow on Sunday, but proved effective as South Africa continued their defiant response.

After being reprieved by James Anderson off Joe Root's off-spin, Amla punished England in the steely manner of old to reach his first century in more than a year.

In reaching 50, De Villiers went past 8,000 Test runs as he and Amla put on South Africa's first century stand since 2014.

Having scored 251 runs in eight Tests at an average of 22.81 in 2015, he went past 150 for the seventh time in his career.

Amla scored only three runs in 40 balls after bringing up the landmark, while Du Plessis played watchfully as England toiled in hot conditions.