(CNN) -- It was first blood to South Africa in their battle for cricket supremacy with No.1 ranked England as the tourists wrapped up an innings and 12 runs rout in the first Test at The Oval Monday. South Africa will usurp England as the best Test team in the world with victory in the three-match series and took a giant step towards that goal with their decisive victory. Hashim Amla's record breaking triple century, with admirable support from captain Graeme Smith and Jacques Kallis, knocked the stuffing out of England as they spent two days in the field while South Africa amassed 637 for two wickets.
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South Africa beat England by an innings and 12 runs in first Test at The Oval
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Dale Steyn takes five wickets for 56 runs to wrap up victory
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Hashim Amla man of the match for his triple century in South Africa's innings
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South Africa will top Test rankings with victory in three-match series
Dale Steyn
Top ranked bowler @placeholder finished off the job as England battled to salvage pride and a draw on the final day.
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England, who have 122 points at the top of the rankings to 113 for currently third placed @placeholder, made a fine start to the match making 267 for three wickets on the first day.
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@placeholder took full advantage as Amla, Smith and Kallis all passed three figures, the former setting a new Test record for his country with 311 not out.