Following are the records set by England and Stokes en route his magnificent double century and the massive first innings total...
The pitch for the series-deciding third Test between India and South Africa starting in Cape Town on Sunday would favour batsmen and last all five days, according to the curator of the Newlands ground.
With 20 points in their kitty, the Royals are within touching distance of becoming the first team to qualify for the play-offs.
Reeza Hendricks and Dewald Brevis produced fireworks with the bat as MI Cape Town defeated Pretoria Capitals by 27 runs to send their opponents out of SA20's play-offs race in Centurion.
Joe Root delivered a T20 masterclass to steer the Royals to an equally thrilling eight-wicket victory over Pretoria Capitals at Centurion.
The tourists went to the close on 213 for one in their second innings, but still trail South Africa by 208 runs after they were forced to follow-on having been bowled out for 194 earlier in the day.
As he closes the most revered chapter of his career, here are some of his best Test knocks:
South Africa captain Graeme Smith expects an even contest between bat and ball to set up a thrilling finale in the series-deciding third Test against Australia at Newlands in Cape Town on Saturday.
England captain Joe Root hailed the influence of 'golden nugget' Ben Stokes
South Africa are within touching distance of a place in next June's World Test Championship final at Lord's but must win at least one of their two Tests against Pakistan
Pakistan off-spinner Saeed Ajmal ripped through South Africa's batting to leave them reeling on 139 for five at the end of a controversial second day in the second Test at Newlands on Friday. Ajmal grabbed five for 41 but his brilliant first-innings performance was almost overshadowed by three incidents involving umpire Steve Davis.
South Africa have now won six successive Tests, starting with success in the West Indies in August and following it with two-Test series wins in Bangladesh and then home to Sri Lanka last month.
Proteas edge Pakistan to win thriller at Centurion
Sibley put on 116 for the third wicket with captain Joe Root (61), before the latter steered Dwaine Pretorius to Faf du Plessis at slip late on.
Ryan Rickelton struck a career-best unbeaten 176 and his captain Temba Bavuma scored 106 as South Africa pummelled Pakistan's seamers at Newlands to finish the first day of the second and final Test on 316 for four on Friday.
Jacques Kallis hit his second Test double century and AB de Villiers added a thrilling hundred before South Africa declared on 580 for four on the second day of the third and final Test against Sri Lanka at Newlands on Wednesday.
The home side are chasing a modest target of 148 after bowling out Pakistan for 237 and if they win will be assured a place in the WTC final at Lord's.
Sri Lanka is staring at yet another series defeat. At close of play on the third day of the third and final Test against South Africa at Newlands on Thursday, the visitors were in danger of an innings defeat after losing 12 wickets.
Jacques Kallis and Alviro Petersen both hit centuries as South Africa punished the Sri Lankan bowling attack on the first day of the third and final Test at Newlands on Tuesday.
Ryan Rickelton posted the joint seventh-highest score by a South African in Tests with 259 as his side ran up a huge 615 before reducing Pakistan to 64/4 at the close on Day 2.
'Losing wickets in bunches is something have to plug'
Images from the third One-day International between India and South Africa at Newlands, Cape Town on Tuesday.
India scored a thrilling two-wicket win over South Africa in the third one-day international at Newlands, Cape Town on Tuesday. The visitors made 223 for eight and won with 10 balls to spare in a pulsating match that went down to the wire. The win gave India a 2-1 lead going into the fourth match at Port Elizabeth.
David Warner has called on Cricket Australia to provide more information about why umpires changed the ball used by India A in a match in Mackay on Sunday which led to a heated exchange between wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan and an on-field umpire.
David Warner's lifetime leadership ban rescinded by Cricket Australia
David Warner's international career come to an anti-climactic end after Afghanistan's stunning victory over Bangladesh eliminated Australia from the T20 World Cup.
A fire scare broke out in the Newlands during the third day of the third and Test between India and South Africa on Tuesday after smoke was seen coming out of the kitchen adjacent to the member's stand and below the Indian dressing room.
While South Africa grabbed a 1-0 lead in the three-match series, the visitors squandered a golden opportunity to script a memorable win outside the sub-continent.
India will not be taking the foot off the gas pedal given USA's exploits in the T20 World Cup right after producing one of their best-ever bowling performances, said bowling coach Paras Mhambrey on Tuesday.
'Cape Town once again showed cricketers with limited first class experience will always struggle against the red ball.'
Has the philosophy of Test match changed with batters becoming tad too aggressive?
After the win in their opening match of the series, South Africa led the WTC25 rankings, but the loss in the second Test meant their win percentage fell down to 50%, the same as New Zealand, Australia, and Bangladesh.
Sunrisers Eastern Cape completed back-to-back title success in the SA20 with a thumping 89-run victory over Durban Super Giants
Chris Morris again proved the scourge of England's bowlers after smashing 14 off the final over to power South Africa to a thrilling three-wicket win in the first Twenty20 at Newlands.
During Monday's net session, Bumrah repeatedly made short work of the batter often sending his off-stump cart-wheeling for fun
India captain Rohit Sharma said India can take pride in their performance after defeating South Africa inside two days of the 2nd Test at Newlands in Cape Town on Thursday.
David Bedingham said it is a dream to score a hundred in front of friends and family as he owes them a lot.
Mohammed Siraj's 6/15 is the third best bowling figures by an Indian bowler in South Africa.
Injury to Temba Bavuma also thrust Elgar back into the captain's role that was taken away from him last February.
A desperate India seek to restore parity against South Africa and remain consequential in the World Test Championship.
