Joe Root hails Ben Stokes supporting contribution as England close gap on South Africa

Centurion Joe Root saluted the contribution of Ben Stokes after England ended the second day of the third test on 238 for five on Friday, 75 runs behind South's Africa's first-innings total.

The visitors slumped to 91 for four but were rescued by Root (106 not out) and Stokes (58) as the pair shared a swashbuckling stand of 111 for the fifth wicket in just under 16 overs.

"He takes pressure off you at the other end when he comes in and plays that aggressively," Root told reporters in reference to his partner's 54-ball knock.

"When you see someone scoring like that at the other end, putting the bowlers under pressure, it brings it out in your own game as well. He scored at over a run a ball today.

"The slips come out and the men go to the boundaries. You can then run well between the wickets because there are gaps available," said Root who brought up his ninth test century in 126 balls.