Pope dazzled for 135 not out, at 22 years and 15 days becoming the youngest player to make a maiden Test hundred for England since Alastair Cook in 2006.
Ollie Pope struck his first of what will surely be many Test centuries and Ben Stokes cracked a hundred of his own to put England in a dominant position on day two of the third Test against South Africa in Port Elizabeth.
Stokes continued his stellar form for 120 to take the tourists to 499-9 declared – the first time England have made more than 400 batting first for over two years.
The fifth-wicket pair extended their overnight partnership to 203, crushing the spirit of the South Africa attack.
Sam Curran and Mark Wood took advantage, Curran adding a breezy 44 and Wood swinging his way to 42 from only 23 deliveries, including five sixes.
After England declared, off-spinner Dom Bess exploited the turn on offer, removing Pieter Malan and Zubayr Hamza to leave the Proteas 60-2, 439 behind.
Bad light and rain closed in with eight overs remaining, denying England the chance to make further inroads, but they still have a golden opportunity to go 2-1 up with one Test to play.
Even with the surface remaining good for batting, England have the advantage of scoreboard pressure and the weapon of Wood, who bowled a fiery spell in excess of 90mph in his first Test for 11 months.
