Centurion Temba Bavuma has last laugh after Ben Stokes is seen telling South Africa batsman: 'You are absolutely s***'

Ben Stokes sledged new South Africa star Temba Bavuma as England tempers boiled over in the second Test here on Tuesday.

After forcing Bavuma into a false shot early in his innings, England’s double-century hero mouthed at the 5ft 3in batsman: ‘You are absolutely s*** .’

Bavuma responded by becoming the first black South African to make a century for his country as the hosts declared on 627 for seven. England closed the fourth day on 16 without loss, 18 runs ahead. 

Ben Stokes was seen giving Temba Bavumba a foul-mouthed insult on day four of the second Test

The England all-rounder said 'You are absolutely s***' as the batsman struggled early on in his innings 

Temba Bavuma could only prod forward and get an inside edge on a Stokes delivery

The ball narrowly missed the stumps and the grasp of wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow to roll to the boundary

Stokes steams in to bowl during a heated day's play in Cape Town as England pushed for wickets

Stokes had more words for Bavuma as the England all-rounder lost his cool on day four

Bavuma eventually started to cut loose and put aside questions about his ability and temperament

England assistant coach Paul Farbrace said: ‘Ben was the first to run after Bavuma when he walked off to shake his hand and tell him how well he had played. 

'I don’t think it’s anything either side will get too worried about.’

Bavuma said: ‘Some of the things he said I couldn’t really hear but the more he kept speaking, the more he fired me up to stay focused.’ 

Bavuma's place in the South Africa side looked uncertain leading up to this Test match. 

Bavuma responded to Stokes's taunt by smashing a brilliant hundred, including this boundary on the leg side

The Cape Town local celebrated his maiden hundred for South Africa in emphatic style

Bavuma's small stature is emphasised as he is congratulated by team-mate Chris Morris 

Stokes ended the day by congratulating Bavuma on his wonderful innings at Newlands

South Africa's complex history has caused repercussions for its modern sporting teams, including the selection policy for the Proteas XI. Four players 'of colour', including one black African, must always be picked to satisfy a quota system that seeks to help promote non-white players to the highest level.

As a black South African from a local township, some had questioned whether Bavuma's selection for his home Test was down to the colour of his skin rather than his ability with the bat.

The 25-year-old had a Test batting average of just 20.71 after six matches heading into Cape Town. Standing at just 5 ft 3 in tall, he can also appear dwarfed by Test cricket's giants.

On a niggly day, Jimmy Anderson was warned for sledging and Stuart Broad was fined 30 per cent of his match fee for dissent.