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. 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. Scott Boland bowled Australia into a strong position after a lengthy rain delay on the second day of the second Test against South Africa at St George’s Park on Monday. 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.
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. 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.
