Scott Boland took four of South Africa’s five wickets to fall, including that of Ryan Rickelton late on on another rain-hit day in Gqeberha, as Australia reduced their hosts to 97-5 in the second Test.
After rain washed out the first two sessions of the second day, when South Africa’s first innings finally resumed at 20-2, they quickly lost a third wicket after just a few overs.
Boland (4-31), who had taken two wickets off consecutive deliveries on day one, added debutant Marques Ackerman caught behind for six.
Mitchell Starc (1-27) then struck to remove Matthew Breetzke (4) – also departing, when chasing a wide drive – to have the Proteas reeling at 40-4.
Australia were stripped of one of their four-way pace options, with Josh Hazlewood missing the second day due to illness. He is expected to be available for the remainder of the Test.
South Africa gradually turned into proceedings, their captain Temba Bavuma leading from the front with an unbeaten 41 as part of a fifty partnership for the fifth wicket with Rickelton.
Australian wicketkeeper Scott Boland has taken four wickets for 31 runs from his 14 overs so far
But just as the pair would have prepared to put their feet up for the evening and resume the battle in the morning, Rickelton – dropped on 26 by Marnus Labuschagne – became Boland’s latest victim as Matt Renshaw claimed a sensational one-handed catch down the right at slip.
South Africa are the reigning World Test champions after beating current table-toppers Australia in the 2025 final, but they go 1-0 down in the three-match series after a heavy 214-run defeat in the first Test.
Watch the third day of the second Test between South Africa and Australia live Sky Sports+ from 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday. The latest Sky Sports offers OR transmission without contract in TANI.