England bowler Steven Finn refused to criticise his side's fielding despite seeing several opportunities spurned as South Africa's batsmen flourished in Cape Town.

England managed just one wicket on day three of the second Test as the Proteas closed on 353 for three with captain Hashim Amla unbeaten on 157 and Faf du Plessis 51 not out.

AB de Villiers was the only success England enjoyed on Monday - snared by Watford-born Finn - but not until he had made 88 as South Africa finished 276 runs behind the tourists' 629 for six declared.

However, it might have been a different story if England had made the most of the chances they created, with Amla being dropped twice - on 76 and 120 - after De Villiers had been put down late on day two having scored just five.

Asked if the drops were a lack of concentration or because it was difficult for the fielders to see at Newlands, Finn said: "It's very difficult to see, even the one that dropped short of me at mid-off I didn't pick it up until it was halfway towards me.

"It is tricky to see here and sometimes people drop catches and that just happens in cricket. We've been excellent at taking catches so far this series and through the summer, hopefully tomorrow we can take those catches."

He added of his side's efforts with the ball: "I thought we never let them really get away from us, we created pressure, we created those little chances. Unfortunately we didn't take them but we come back tomorrow.

"It's been a bit of a long hard slog but I think everyone's put a lot of effort in today and I don't think you can fault the way we bowled.

"As a bowler you need to try to mix it up as much as you can. I thought we did that really well today, we just didn't get our rewards."

In a bid to try and force a breakthrough, England captain Alastair Cook threw the ball to opener Alex Hales - a player with only three first-class wickets to his name.

Hales only went for two runs off his three overs, but Finn joked he hopes never to see the 27-year-old turn his arm over again.

"Me and him opened the bowling for Hertfordshire Under-12s together and that's the first time I've seen him bowl in the last 14 years. I don't wish to see that again!" Finn said.

"Sometimes with that sort of bowling you can sneak a wicket. Hopefully we never get to a situation where we see Alex Hales bowl again, but if it brings a wicket then great."

Regarding England's chances of winning, Finn added: "I think we're a long way ahead in the game. It's going to take a lot of hard work, we're going to have to come back tomorrow and put even more pressure on them.

"We're still very upbeat and chipper in the dressing room and we hope to force something tomorrow."

Clcik here to read more about the third day's play.