Rabada-led attack forces Bangladesh to follow-on

Kagiso Rabada and Duanne Olivier shared eight wickets between them to put South Africa on course for a big series-clinching victory over Bangladesh after the second day of the second and final Test in Bloemfontein on Saturday (October 7).

Bangladesh was bowled out for 147 in response to South Africa's 573 for 4 declared, and Faf du Plessis promptly enforced the follow-on. Bangladesh then reached seven for no loss when stumps were called early due to bad light.

In the Bangladesh first innings, Liton Das waged a lone battle with a fighting 70 even as the other batsmen crumbled against the pace attack. Rabada finished with 5 for 33, while Olivier took 3 for 40.

Earlier in the day, South Africa stretched its score from 428 for 3 to 573 for 4 before du Plessis declared. Hashim Amla, who resumed the day at 89, took his score to 132 – his 28th Test century, surpassing Graeme Smith as the second-highest century-maker for South Africa, behind only Jacques Kallis (45). Du Plessis remained unbeaten on 135 after starting the day at 62.

The experienced duo became the third and fourth centurions of the South African innings after Dean Elgar and Aiden Markram raised three-figure marks on the first day. Only once before have four South African batsmen scored centuries in an innings; against Windies in St John's in 2004-05.

But what looked like a batting paradise for South Africa turned out to be a nightmare for Bangladesh as it lost wickets in clusters. Soumya Sarkar was the first to be dismissed, by Rabada, in the seventh over when he shuffled too wide across and was bowled round his legs.

Olivier, playing his fifth Test match, then struck twice in quick succession to send back Mominul Haque and Mushfiqur Rahim. Temba Bavuma took a spectacular catch at gully to see the back of Rahim, the Bangladesh captain.

Wayne Parnell had Mahmudullah caught behind with a lifting delivery and Imrul Kayes, who was Bangladesh's second-highest scorer with 26, fell three balls after tea to Rabada.

Das counter-attacked and hit 13 boundaries in his 77-ball stay before an attempted pull off Rabada lobbed off the top edge just behind the slip cordon for du Plessis to run back and complete the catch.