Scott Boland struck twice in two balls as South Africa stuttered to 20-2 from the 12.2 overs possible on a rain-hit first day of the second Test against Australia in Gqeberha.
Boland, picked after Australia omitted off-spinner Nathan Lyon and went in with a four-pronged pace attack, bowled Aiden Markram (11) off an inside edge in the ninth over. With his next delivery, he had David Bedingham (0) caught behind off a nick.
South Africa trail 1-0 in the three-match series after a 214-run defeat in the opening Test in Durban. They were 12-2 at that stage after being put into bat, but they reached the premature stumps without further loss. Debutant Marques Ackerman (5 not out off 32 balls) and captain Temba Bavuma (4 not out off 13) battled through.
Rain wrecks the day at St George’s Park
Rain delayed the start by around two hours. It returned to force an early lunch after just 5.3 overs, and another downpour led to the day being abandoned at 4.15pm local time at St George’s Park.
Boland’s figures were 2-5 from 3.2 overs.
Lyon left out, South Africa make three changes
Boland for Lyon was Australia’s only change from the first match. The tourists left out their premier spinner in a red-ball Test in which he was fit to play for the first time since 2013.
South Africa made three alterations. Left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj, wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne and batter Tristan Stubbs made way for batters Ackerman and Matthew Breetzke and fit-again paceman Kagiso Rabada.
Ryan Rickelton took the wicketkeeping gloves in Verreynne’s absence and dropped from his opening position to No 6. Ackerman came in to partner Markram at the top of the order.
Ackerman, 30, was opening in a first-class match for the first time. He dug in on a seam-friendly wicket.
Day two of the second Test starts at 8am on Monday.