Boland puts South Africa on the back foot on rain-hit day

South Africa vs Australia – 2nd Test, Gqeberha (Day 1)

• Toss: Australia won and chose to bowl.
• Weather: 90‑minute rain delay; only 12.2 overs played before lunch; rain resumed after tea, ending play at 4:13 PM.
• Australia’s bowling:
  • Scott Boland 2–5, taking wickets of Aiden Markram and David Bedingham.
  • Boland’s spell included a near hat‑trick; Temba Bavuma edged the ball onto his pads.
• South Africa’s batting:
  • 20 for 2, with Bavuma and debutant Marques Ackerman at the crease.
  • Ackerman opened despite no first‑class experience, scored 0 off 14 balls before a thick edge.
  • Markram hit a boundary with two drives against Mitchell Starc.
• Key moments:
  • Boland’s early wickets put South Africa on the back foot.
  • Rain interruptions limited play to 12.2 overs, leaving the match incomplete.
• Next steps: South Africa will resume at 20/2; further rain expected to threaten the second day.

Brief scores: South Africa 20/2 (Boland 2‑5) vs Australia.