Michael Vaughan heaped praise on man-of-the-match Matthew Hoggard after England had won an extraordinary Test match late on the final day.
Hoggard, with just two sessions to bowl out South Africa, tore through the top order and took seven wickets in all.
Vaughan said: "Hoggy runs through a brick wall for anyone. He's swinging the ball in these conditions.
"You've still got to put the ball in the right areas and that's what he's doing right now," added the captain.
"Hoggy asked every single one of their batsmen questions and created lots of opportunities. To keep running in with the same effort is some ask.
"It was a very, very special victory. We have had some great results in the past year, but this is certainly up there.
"To bowl a South African team out, including nine front-line batters, in two sessions was a truly amazing effort."
Vaughan also showed his admiration for Marcus Trescothick's innings of 180 which set up a lunch-time declaration and put the pressure on the hosts.
"He played like you know he can. He's a free scorer, a fast scorer and played his shots around the wicket."
But the England camp are not resting on their laurels, because if they slip up in the final Test at Centurion the series can still be squared.
Vaughan said: "It's great to go 2-1 up - the bowlers deserve a whole lot of credit. But there's a hell of a lot of hard work still to be done."
Hoggard said: "It's been a superb day for the England cricket team.
"The Test match has been swinging in roundabouts but thankfully we came out with the victory.
"It was nice to get Jacques Kallis first ball - that put the pressure on the South Africans.
"It was hard work but the wicket was helpful. Tomorrow I am going to be doing absolutely nothing."
He added: "Everybody has got their role in the side and it has taken me quite a time to understand what my role is. Now I hope I have found my niche in the team."
"We'll put our feet up for three days and then hit South Africa hard again."