South Africa on Monday beat England by an innings and 12 runs in the first Test at the Oval to take a one-nil lead in the three-match series.

England, all out for 385 in their first innings, were faced with a daunting task to save the match after the visitors declared on 2-637 following an unbeaten 311 from Hashim Amla, 182 not out from Jacques Kallis and 131 from Graeme Smith.

That left England needing 252 to make South Africa bat again but, despite some resistance from Ian Bell (55) and Matt Prior (40), South Africa ran through the England lower order with relative ease.