Graham Thorpe and Andrew Flintoff hit fifties to put England back on top on day four of the second Test against South Africa in Durban.

They put on 114 runs for the fifth wicket before Flintoff was caught behind off Graeme Smith for 60.

England recovered to reach 454-5 at tea - a lead of 261 - with Thorpe unbeaten on 69 and Geraint Jones 13 not out.

England lost three for 21 in the morning, with Makhaya Ntini counting Andrew Strauss (136) among his victims.