Proteas captain Temba Bavuma was unbeaten on 41 as South Africa reached 97 for five against Australia at St George’s Park. Rain and a wet outfield cut the second day of the second Test short.
Australian fast bowler Scott Boland was again the best bowler on show. He took four wickets for 31 runs, while Mitchell Starc took one wicket for 27.
Two more sessions were lost to bad weather on the second day, according to IOL Sport. Australia have only been able to bowl 43 overs across the first two days of the Test in Gqeberha.
Play finally started at 3:45pm. South Africa, the World Test Champions, soon lost two more batters and slipped to 40 for four.
Boland bowled from the Park Drive End and moved the ball sharply off the seam both ways. He removed Test debutant Marques Ackerman. That added to his wickets of Aiden Markram and David Bedingham from the first day.
Matthew Breetzke also fell early. He edged a wide ball from Starc that was well outside his off stump.
Bavuma and wicketkeeper Ryan Rickelton then steadied the innings. Rickelton was batting at No. 6 for the first time since he took over the gloves from Kyle Verreynne.
The pair took no risks. They let many balls pass outside off stump and only played when they had to.
Bavuma played with soft hands and kept the ball under his eyes. His patience forced Australia to change their plan and bowl short, with a leg slip and a fielder at deep square leg.
The South African captain answered by hooking Australian captain Pat Cummins over fine leg for six.
The short balls nearly worked at the other end. Cummins made Rickelton fend a rising delivery towards Marnus Labuschagne, but the fielder dropped the catch.
Rickelton did not make the most of his second chance. Boland was brought back and switched to the Duck Pond End.
He found the outside edge of Rickelton’s bat. Matthew Renshaw took a sharp one-handed catch at first slip.
Rickelton made 31 off 51 balls, with five fours. His stand of 52 runs with Bavuma came from 109 balls.
Wiaan Mulder then joined Bavuma and the two batted through the last few overs of the day without losing another wicket.
IOL Sport reported that Bavuma now stands between Australia and a big step towards winning the series in Gqeberha. South Africa resume on 97 for five, with Bavuma on 41 and Mulder at the crease.
Source: this article is based on reporting by IOL Sport. Image: IOL Sport. Written with the help of AI and published by the Tzaneen Voice Sports desk. See our Editorial Standards.
Tiyani Mathebula writes about sport for Tzaneen Voice. Tiyani covers Bafana Bafana, the Springboks, the Proteas and the PSL, along with athletics, tennis and local club sport. Match reports and previews focus on results, team news, fixtures and what each game means for South African teams and fans.