Phehlukwayo appeared to have secured a six for South Africa with a deep midwicket drive but Stokes, who later admitted he was out of position, acrobatically dived backwards and claimed the ball to a roar of a approval from those in attendance at The Oval.

Nasser Hussain, the former England captain who was on commentary duty for UK broadcaster Sky Sports, hailed the catch as among the best in the history of the sport.