Il Nuovo Postiglione - Boland sets pace as South Africa struggle

Boland took four for 31 as South Africa limped to 97 for five at the close. Captain Temba Bavuma stood firm for the hosts, scoring 41 not out.

Boland came into the team when Australia opted for an all-pace bowling attack, and he followed up his two wickets on the rain-ruined first day by striking in the third over on Monday and again shortly before the close.

Only five runs were added to the overnight 20 for two before Boland struck in his second over of the day. New cap Marques Ackerman was caught behind by wicketkeeper Alex Carey for six, with the left-hander edging a ball bowled from around the wicket which seamed away off the pitch.

Matthew Breetzke, who together with Ackerman was brought into the side to strengthen the batting, made only four before he provided Carey with a third catch when he played a loose shot against Mitchell Starc.

South Africa seemed to be clawing their way back into the contest as Ryan Rickelton (31) added 52 for the fifth wicket with Bavuma but Rickelton fell to a sensational one-handed catch at first slip by Matt Renshaw when Boland was brought back into the attack shortly before the close.

Play started six hours after the scheduled start on Monday after more than 60mm of rain fell overnight and into the morning.

The sun was shining brightly by the time the outfield had dried enough for play to start and batting conditions were expected to ease.

But Boland’s relentless accuracy left world Test champions South Africa in a precarious position as they sought to play their way back into the three-match series after losing the first Test in Durban by 214 runs.

Fast bowler Josh Hazlewood did not take the field on Tuesday because of illness but was expected to be available on Tuesday.

F.M.Buffo--INP