ENGLAND  will enjoy a well-deserved celebration with their boss' blessing after clinching a series win in South Africa.

A seven-wicket win at the Wanderers, after Stuart Broad took six for 17 to bowl the Proteas out for 83, took the tourists 2-0 up with one match remaining in the series.

It is only the second time England have won in South Africa since the latter's readmission to Test cricket, an achievement not lost on England cricket director Andrew Strauss.

Captain Alastair Cook said at the post-match press conference: ''To beat South Africa 2-0 in three Tests is a great achievement for the lads.

''Andrew Strauss has told us to have a big one so if he's said it, we're going to do it!''

South Africa made 313 in their first innings and had England 91 for four before a stand of 111 between Joe Root and a typically attacking Ben Stokes.

Adopted Cumbrian Stokes made 58 and Root went on to 110, Jonny Bairstow's 45 lifting England to a slender lead of 10 before Broad took centre stage.

''Ben's in great touch, he was supported by Rooty in that stand and then for Rooty to go on and get 100 on that wicket, he played exceptionally and then it was over to Stuart and Jimmy,'' Cook said.

''Broady got on one of his rolls, backed up by Jimmy. It's a privilege to captain those two. It's one of those you look back on and I'm lucky to captain the guys here and the side I've got.''

Broad had been struggling ahead of the game with the sickness bug which has been affecting many of the touring party but he found peak form and fitness when it mattered most.

''I was a bit under the weather - most of our fans, players and everyone we know here has been ill,'' he said. ''The doctor got me over it pretty quickly and the guys bowled well first day to cover my absence.

''I fell into the trap in the first innings of bowling a bit too short, got carried away with the bounce. We had a chat before the second innings about looking to pitch it up and bring the batsmen forward a bit more.

''We got lucky today, we got some clouds, the lights were on, they were perfect conditions but we created pressure and took our catches. It's been a fantastic day for us.

''I got in rhythm and it was a good day to bowl, the wicket offered a bit off the seam and in the air as well. I wish I could take that wicket around with us most places.''

Cook's opposite number AB de Villiers admitted his side came up short - not just in their second-innings collapse but in the first as well.

"All the batters got in, there were quite a few soft dismissals in the first innings and it cost us dearly," he said.

"I believed it was a 400-plus wicket but we didn't make it count and let England back into the game.

"They didn't bowl us out in the first innings - they bowled us out in the second, but that was after we let them back into the game.

"They bowled exceptionally well, I haven't seen a team bowl like that in a long time and they were captained well by Cookie.

"We were outplayed in the second innings. It's been a disappointing Test from our point of view."