England claimed the prize wicket of Graeme Smith in unlikely fashion as South Africa, replying to a total of 445, reached 84 for two at the close of the second day of the third Test on Friday.
Smith had made 35 to take his aggregate for the series to 656 runs when he played routinely back to a ball from Andrew Flintoff but trod on his stumps.
The 22-year-old looked round in disbelief to see his bails on the ground, prompting wild celebrations from the England players who had previously dismissed South Africa's captain only after he had chalked up scores of 277, 259 and 85.
Smith's demise tipped the balance of the match towards England, who also removed his opening partner Herschelle Gibbs in the final session.
Earlier, England wicketkeeper Alec Stewart made a gritty 72, shepherding the tail expertly to take the hosts to the large total they needed to put pressure on South Africa.
The tourists, 1-0 up in the series, had fought back well in the morning, picking up the wickets of Nasser Hussain, Ed Smith and Flintoff in quick succession as England, 296 for three overnight, reached 370 for six at lunch.
Fast bowler Shaun Pollock trapped Hussain lbw for 116 as he shuffled across his stumps, ending the defiant innings that spanned nearly six hours and included 18 fours.
The former captain left the field to a standing ovation having scored his 13th Test century.
Pollock earned his reward for a probing and typically accurate spell that contributed to outstanding figures of two for 65 from 36 overs, 18 of which were maidens.
Smith continued to bat solidly, combining watchful defence with full-blooded attacking strokes, the pick of which was a searing cover drive off Makhaya Ntini.
NIBBLED TENTATIVELY
The tall right-hander's innings ended, however, in Jacques Kallis's first over of the day when he nibbled tentatively at a swinging delivery and gave wicketkeeper Mark Boucher a simple catch.
Flintoff, who made a defiant 142 in a losing cause in the last Test at Lord's, looked out of sorts, failing to score from 20 balls before edging Hall straight to Pollock at first slip.
Stewart added 41 with Ashley Giles before the latter was bowled by Andrew Hall for 22 as he tried to hit the ball through the off side.
James Kirtley then survived half an hour for his single run before he was caught by Smith off Ntini.
The 40-year-old Stewart, who hit 11 fours, was in sight of his 16th Test century when he tried to hit spinner Paul Adams over the top and was caught by Smith at deep extra cover. Harmison was caught by Pollock at slip off the same bowler for 14 to end the innings.
Smith and Gibbs enjoyed a comfortable start to South Africa's reply, with England captain Michael Vaughan forced to remove opening bowler James Anderson from the attack after three erratic overs.
Kirtley proved more accurate, but it was Harmison who made the first breakthrough with his eighth delivery, bowling Gibbs off an inside edge for 19.
Flintoff, who beat Smith on several occasions in an excellent spell, then took the congratulations after the captain's unusual dismissal.
Jacques Rudolph and Kallis were both unbeaten on 11 at the close but with the pitch showing signs of wear and uneven bounce England will fancy their chances of further breakthroughs on Saturday morning.
Scoreboard
England (1st innings): (overnight 296-3)
M.Trescothick c Boucher b Hall 24
M.Vaughan c Gibbs b Pollock 1
M.Butcher c Boucher b Ntini 106
N.Hussain lbw Pollock 116
E.Smith c Boucher b Kallis 64
A.Stewart c Smith b Adams 72
A.Flintoff c Pollock b Hall 0
A.Giles b Hall 22
J.Kirtley c Smith b Ntini 1
S.Harmison c Pollock b Adams 14
J.Anderson not out 0.
Extras (b-9, lb-8, w-4, nb-4) 25
Total (all out, 146.3 overs) 445
Fall of wickets: 1-7, 2-29, 3-218, 4-322, 5-334, 6-347, 7-388, 8-408, 9-440
Bowling: Pollock 36-18-65-2 (nb-4 w-1), Ntini 33-3-137-2, Hall 24-5-88-3 (w-1), Kallis 27-7-92-1 (w-1), Adams 26.3-7-46-2 (w-1)
South Africa (1st innings):
G.Smith hit wicket b Flintoff 35
H.Gibbs b Harmison 19
J.Rudolph not out 11 J.Kallis not out 11
Extras (b-4, lb-2, w-1, nb-1) 8
Total (for two wickets, 33 overs) 84
To bat: B.Dippenaar, N.McKenzie, M.Boucher, S.Pollock, A.Hall, P.Adams, M.Ntini.
Fall of wickets: 1-56, 2-66
Bowling: Anderson 6-2-24-0 (w-1), Kirtley 10-3-21-0 (nb-1), Flintoff 11-5-20-1, Harmison 6-1-13-1
