Scott Boland took 4 for 31 on a rain-affected second day of the second Test at St George's Park in Gqeberha on 19 October, leaving Australia firmly on top. South Africa ended the day on 97 for 5 after 43 overs, with captain Temba Bavuma unbeaten on 41.
Heavy overnight rain delayed the start of play by about six hours, after day one had also been badly disrupted by the weather. South Africa resumed on 20 for 2 and lost three wickets for 77 runs in under 30 overs once the players finally took the field.
Boland finished with his figures from 14 overs, the best Test return of his career against South Africa. He had already taken two wickets in two balls on the opening day, when he bowled Aiden Markram for 11 and then removed David Bedingham for nought with the next delivery.
On day two he dismissed debutant Marques Ackerman, who was caught behind by Alex Carey for 6 off 38 balls. Mitchell Starc then accounted for Matthew Breetzke, who edged a drive behind, and finished with 1 for 27.
Bavuma and Ryan Rickelton added 52 for the fifth wicket after South Africa had slipped to 40 for 4. Rickelton had been dropped on 26 by Marnus Labuschagne, but late in the day he was caught one-handed at slip by Matt Renshaw off Boland for 31.
Australia left out Nathan Lyon to make room for Boland and went in with an all-pace attack. Explaining the selection before the match, Pat Cummins, the Australia captain, said: "Scotty Boland has been incredible whenever he's played Test cricket". Cummins won the toss and chose to field.
South Africa made three changes, bringing in Ackerman, Breetzke and the recovered fast bowler Kagiso Rabada for Keshav Maharaj, Kyle Verreynne and Tristan Stubbs. The hosts are the reigning World Test champions, having beaten Australia in the 2025 final, but trail 1-0 after Australia won the first Test in Durban by 214 runs.
Day three is on Tuesday 20 October, with play due to start at 9am local time. The weather is expected to improve after the first two days, and lost overs can be made up later in the match. The Test is scheduled to run until 22 October, and the third Test begins in Cape Town on 27 October.
