South Africa finally saw the back of England captain Joe Root before Stuart Broad's first Test fifty in four years frustrated the Proteas on the second day of their series opener at Lord's on Friday.

At lunch, the tourists were 10 without loss in reply to England's first innings 458 all out which saw Root mark his first innings as England captain with 190.

South Africa captain Dean Elgar was nine not out and Test debutant Heino Kuhn one not out.

England twice lost two wickets for no runs in three balls on Friday after resuming on 357 for five.

They still got beyond 450, however, thanks to a rapid last-wicket stand of 45 in 27 balls between Broad and James Anderson.

Root, missed several times by South Africa, had led a fine recovery after England had collapsed to 76 for four before lunch on Thursday and he resumed on 184 not out, with Moeen Ali unbeaten on 61.

Root's innings was already the highest score by an England captain in his first Test in charge, surpassing Alastair Cook's 173 against Bangladesh in 2010.

But Morne Morkel rocked England with two wickets for no runs in three balls to leave the hosts 367 for seven.

Root had added just six to his overnight score when, in sight of what would have been his second Test double century at Lord's, he edged a good-length ball outside off stump to wicket-keeper Quinton de Kock.

The 26-year-old Yorkshireman walked off to a standing ovation from a capacity and sun-drenched crowd, having batted for over six hours, facing 234 balls including 27 fours and a six.

Root's exit meant the 239 made by New Zealand's Graham Dowling against India at Christchurch in 1968 remained the highest score by a captain in their first Test in charge,

Two balls later Liam Dawson -- selected as much for his lower-order batting as his left-arm spin -- was lbw to a tall fast bowler Morkel for a duck on home debut.

The first over after the drinks break again saw England lose two wickets.

Ali, closing in on a sixth Test century, was bowled between bat and pad for 87 aiming a booming drive off Kagiso Rabada and tailender Mark Wood was lbw for nought.

But Broad, who made his Test-best 169 against Pakistan at Lord's in 2010, kept the runs coming with shots worthy of his father Chris, the former England opener.

He pulled Morkel for two sixes in as many balls to complete a spirited 45-ball fifty also including seven fours.

It was Broad's most fluent Test innings since he was hit in the face by a bouncer from India's Varun Aaron that found a way between the peak of his helmet and the grille at Old Trafford in 2014.

Anderson, who like Broad bats left-handed but bowls with his right, then got in on the act by pulling Rabada for six over midwicket to bring up England's 450.

He was last man out when caught behind off Morkel, who led the Proteas' attack with four for 115 in 25.3 overs.

Source: AFP