Earlier, resuming on 179-4, England lost an early wicket when Stokes was caught at gully trying to pull Morkel for 21 - continuing a poor run with the bat which has seen him make just 129 runs from his last 12 innings at an average of 10.75.
Compton, unbeaten on 63 overnight, played slowly but with commendable application to hold the innings together, and he and Bairstow briefly steadied the tourists with a stand of 51.
But Compton's dismissal - caught behind pulling Morkel - triggered a familiar collapse as England lost four wickets for 20 runs in the space of 29 balls.
Morkel - outshining the other South African bowlers with his superior pace and bounce - had Moeen caught behind for a duck and then removed Woakes lbw first ball.
Bairstow - still searching for his maiden Test century - then fenced Kyle Abbott to second slip, and it was left to Broad and Finn to guide England towards a respectable total with a counter-attacking last-wicket partnership of 36.
Stats of the day
- South Africa still do not have a single century partnership in Test cricket this year and this is their eighth match.
- Dale Steyn took his 50th Test wicket against England. He has also passed that landmark against Australia, India and New Zealand.
- Faf du Plessis is averaging 7.75 in his last five Tests, with a top score of 39.
- Nick Compton's 85 lasted 236 balls and 383 minutes (six hours, 23 minutes).
What the players said
England's Stuart Broad: "It was great to get us up to 300. We'd have liked a few more but we don't know how this wicket is going to play.
"Moeen got a few balls to turn and our leg-cutters gripped so if the pitch continues to deteriorate batting could get harder on days four and five.
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