Boland keeps Australia in command on Day 2 of Gqeberha Test
Proteas captain Temba Bavuma holds firm on 41*, but three quick wickets on a rain-affected day give Australia the upper hand.
Skipper Temba Bavuma and Ryan Rickelton shared a 52-run fifth-wicket stand as South Africa fought back from 40 for 4, on Day two of the ICC World Test Championship tussle in Gqeberha.
A stunning catch by Matt Renshaw at first slip capped off a curtailed day in which South Africa lost three wickets for 77 runs in under 30 overs.
Play began six hours later than scheduled on the second day, after heavy overnight and Day one also being washed out due to rains.
After taking two wickets in two balls of Aiden Markram and David Bedingham on the truncated first day, Scott Boland added two more to record his best Test figures against South Africa.
Boland picked up right where he left off the previous day, beating Temba Bavuma’s outside edge with the first ball of the day.
Marques Ackermann was greeted immediately by a Pat Cummins bouncer and edged Boland to Alex Carey for 6 off 38 balls to wrap up a brief Test debut knock.
Matthew Breetzke, playing his third Test and first first-class match since February, after leaving well early on, fell for Mitchell Starc’s trap, driving at an angled delivery and nicking off.
Wiaan Mulder saw out the remaining overs alongside Bavuma, who ended the day unbeaten on 41.
Australia lead the series 1-0 with a 214-run victory in the opening Test in Durban.
Series Schedule:
First Test: 9-13 October, Durban (Australia won by 214 runs)
Second Test: 18-22 October, Gqeberha
Third Test: 27-31 October, Cape Town