That’s it from us today. And what a day of Test cricket it’s been, especially if you’re South African. A majestic, controlled, battling 179 from skipper Bavuma with a couple of 80s down the order from Jansen and Harmer have set this up for the home team. They still need 19 wickets having removed Maddinson in the first over of Australia’s reply.

We’ll be back nice and early to bring you all the action. Catch you then.

Here’s Temba Bavuma:

It’s definitely one of my better ones. Looking at the situation of the game, I’ve found myself in this situations quite a lot and have managed to scramble myself to 50 or 60, so I’m really happy I could go on.

That bowling attack, all four or at least three of them are in the top 10 of the ICC ranking. We got a taste of it in the first Test. For me, not contributing in the first Test was a big thing on my mind. I was glad I was able to put in a good contribution for the team.

I just haven’t had any rhythm. I struggled with rhythm in the ODI series and through the first Test. It can be tricky when you haven’t played for months. So I’ve been going to the nets trying to find that feeling.

I’ve tried to emulate my technique to Sachin Tendulkar. I’m not a big guy, so i try to play the ball as close to my body as possible.

[Rickelton] helped us get momentum then [Jansen] threw some punches and [Harmer] showed application and was unlucly not to get to three figures. Our batters have done the job now our bowlers need to.

There were thoughts about declaring early. I was hesitant because of the weather. We got the one wicket we wanted and if we’re set to be on the field for the majority of the match. There are a lot of things to consider. You want to get yourself in position to win the game and we’ve given ourselves a chance. Going into Cape Town with whatever confidence we can take, and keeping their bowlers on their feet, will play a part.

We’ve missed KG and those early wickets. He’s raring to go. Hopefully tomorrow is his day.

The pitch is a tough pitch. You don’t always feel like you’re in. I never really felt in.

4th over: Australia 3-1 (Head 1, Boland 2) Harmer gives it some air and Boland presses forward and drives down the ground, almost getting four but for Jansen’s intervention keeping it to two. Otherwise it’s tidy from both batter and bowler. What a shame we can’t see the quicks with the new ball, though the Aussies won’t mind.

3rd over: Australia 1-1 (Head 1, Boland 0) Markram bowls a maiden to Head who is eager to cut him off the back foot. He pings one from deep in his crease, but the diving fielder in the covers does the business.

Markram will bowl this over, replacing Rabada. SA trying to eke out as many overs as they can before the close.

2nd over: Australia 1-1 (Head 1, Boland 0) Head scoots a single off his pads off the first ball of Harmer’s over. Boland takes an age between deliveries, adjusting his pads and gloves, but he survives the set as four catchers hover around him.

Harmer will be taking the new ball from the other end.

That is a consequence of the bad light and an instruction from the umpire. Maybe this is the last over of the day

1st over: Australia 0-1 (Head 0, Boland 0) A wicket maiden on return for Rabada. He’s some bowler. That was pretty poor from Maddinson who will know he should have left that alone. But a scrambled mind and weary legs after spending a day and a bit in the dirt will do that to an opener.

Correction, there are six slips and a man catching at forward short leg. Good luck Scotty.

Scotty Boland is sent out as nightwatchman. He has five tightly bunched slips hovering in place.

The South Africans are out, as are the Australian openers.

There is no worse time to take guard than in the fading light having spent more than a day in the field.

To make matters worse, Kagiso Rabada has the new rock in his hands. Eleven overs to play.

No declaration. Rabada strides out. Nortje has kept his pads and helmet on as well.

126th over: South Africa 420-7 (Bavuma 175, Harmer 81) Bavuma stands tall, well, tall-ish, and swats Webster with a cross-bat through midwicket for four. That takes him to his highest ever Test score, eclipsing the 172 he registered against the West Indies in 2023. Harmer swishes at one on his legs, showing he’s keen to get a move on, but only manages a single down to square leg.

Maybe the plan is to bat once. Right now the follow-on score would be 220. Not inconceivable that SA win this by an innings. Something would have to dramatically change under the surface of the pitch for that to happen I feel.

125th over: South Africa 413-7 (Bavuma 169, Harmer 80) Harmer is racing towards his hundred. A rank long-hop from Maddinson barely rises above knee height, but Harmer stoops low and nails a half sweep, half pull for four. He should have sent another drag down to the boundary, but picks out the sweeper down at deep point.

Just on the declaration. I wonder if Bavuma has told Harmer to get a move on and get to that ton. It would be so cruel if the captain pulls the plug on him.

124th over: South Africa 406-7 (Bavuma 167, Harmer 75) The plan is obvious now. After dabbing meekly away from his body and missing Webster, Harmer is summoned for a consultation with Bavuma. Whatever was said prompted Harmer to walk across his stumps and slog Webster down the ground. That’s come from nowhere. He doesn’t reach the boundary as the ball plugs down at long-on, but the intent is clear. Harmer will be considering his own ton, though, especially after slashing a wide ball for four earlier in the over.

123rd over: South Africa 399-7 (Bavuma 166, Harmer 69) This is now the highest eighth-wicket partnership for South Africa. A tremendous effort from these two worth 157.

Renshaw into the attack bowls some proper dross that Harmer hammers for four wide of long-on with a heaving pull. He then cuts behind square for two more before the pair exchange singles.

122nd over: South Africa 390-7 (Bavuma 164, Harmer 62) Hazlewood drags down and Harmer is into position in a flash. He doesn’t get all of it with a pull, but he muscles it over the leaping man at midwicket as it scampers away for four. South Africa now have as many as Australia managed in the first innings in Durban.

121st over: South Africa 385-7 (Bavuma 163, Harmer 58) Marnus into the attack! He’s bowling leggies and mixing up his pace. A floater and a half tracker to Harmer to close out a set that went for just three runs before that. But Harmer’s plinked drive and his off-balanced cut shot can’t find a gap in the ring so no damage.

120th over: South Africa 382-7 (Bavuma 160, Harmer 58) Hazlewood thwacks Harmer’s pad with a nip-backer. He considers a review but thinks better of it. Just as well as replays show it was going over the top. Harmer then steers a three behind point before Bavuma gets an immediate single. The pitch is playing really well. Predictable bounce and no real menace off the surface.

119th over: South Africa 378-7 (Bavuma 159, Harmer 55) Maddinson into the attack. Might as well. Two singles off the first over after drinks.

118th over: South Africa 376-7 (Bavuma 158, Harmer 54) Hazlewood returns. He hasn’t looked sharp. Then again, he is recovering from food poisoning. This over is OK. Back of a length, tight line, the things you expect from the metronome. Four runs off it. And time for drinks. Bavuma takes off his gloves and leaves them behind with his bat. He’s not declaring yet.

117th over: South Africa 372-7 (Bavuma 157, Harmer 51) On they go. Just one run off this Webster over that offered a little something off the surface. One spat up at Bavuma but his soft hands means it remains harmless.

Geoff Wingall writes in:

Hello Daniel,

I can understand your enthusiasm for a declaration with only two and a bit days remaining, but I can’t see it happening unless the follow on target is at least 200, preferably 250 if that’s achievable.

And if it’s to be a draw, then why not put more miles into the legs of the Aussie bowlers before the 3rd Test - especially with one of them already struggling?

It’s a good point, re the follow on score. I just want to see a result. If this was a four or five Test series I’d agree. Or if the first Test was drawn. But this SA team has a chance of winning the series, though they need the overs to get 20 Aussie wickets.

116th over: South Africa 371-7 (Bavuma 157, Harmer 50) Boland drops short and Harmer gets a whole lot of wood on it to pull him a dozen rows back over square leg. That shot takes him to 49, his highest Test score. He desperatrely wants his 50 and almost gets there with a sweet flick off his pads that doesn’t beat midwicket. He gets there off the last ball of the over with a little tickle off his hip. Well batted Simon Harmer, a half century in front of his home fans. Does that bring us closer to a declaration?

115th over: South Africa 363-7 (Bavuma 156, Harmer 43) A maiden from Webster to Harmer, who is eyeing up his first Test half century. His highest score is 47 against Australia. Perhaps that’s what they’re waiting for. They’re in no rush if so.

114th over: South Africa 363-7 (Bavuma 156, Harmer 43) Boland replaces Cummins. Just a pair of singles off that set. Tellingly both Rabada and Nortje still have their pads on. I’d rather see them stretching to let rip at the Australian openers in this gloom. But Bavuma and Conrad have other plans.

27 overs remain. The clouds are gathering. Temba, send the Aussies in!

113th over: South Africa 361-7 (Bavuma 155, Harmer 42) Webster’s first ball is a ‘hit-me’ long hop and Bavuma duly does, leaning back and cracking it well in front of square for four. Big Beau tightens up so Bavuma is watchful until the last ball when he bunts a single down the ground to keep the strike.

111th over: South Africa 351-7 (Bavuma 145, Harmer 42) They keep ticking along. Two singles off this Webster over.

110th over: South Africa 349-7 (Bavuma 144, Harmer 41) The lights are on. Cummins hammers in a bumper that Harmer takes on. It arcs towards the fielder at a wide fine-leg but falls teasingly short. There’s an umpire’s review for a direct hit run-out after Renshaw shot down the stumps, but Harmer’s dive means he’s back safe for a second. Cummins digs in another bounce that Harmer swivels for a single.

What a shame we’ve lost so much time due to the rain across the first two days. I fear we might not get enough time for a result. But Test cricket does move fast. I think the only chance of something materialising is a declaration from the Saffas sooner rather than later.

109th over: South Africa 343-7 (Bavuma 142, Harmer 37) 100-run partnership between these two. What a turnaround. They were 110-6. Renshaw is flighting it up and to me it looks like Bavuma has lost his timing. A full blooded drive just about reached the man at cover. He’ll keep strike after collecting the third single of the over off the last ball.

108th over: South Africa 340-7 (Bavuma 140, Harmer 36) Things are in a bit of a holding pattern for now. Neither side really taking the game on. Cummins is banging in bouncers that harmer is ducking. Are they waiting for Bavuma to reach his 150? Just two runs off that over. When do they pull the trigger? Sure, it’s not a monster score, but they’ll want to get to the Aussie batters before the close.

107th over: South Africa 338-7 (Bavuma 139, Harmer 35) Renshaw into the attack, which is a good move from the Aussies. If the South Africans are going to look to be aggressive, the slower pace of Renshaw could create a bit of chaos. They’re watchful though across this over, showing respect as they settle on three singles.

106th over: South Africa 335-7 (Bavuma 138, Harmer 33) Bavuma throws his hands at a pull shot to Starc and misses. The he almost flings himself out of his boots as he throws his hands and the rest of his body at a full ball and misses. He finally makes contact with a plinked lofted drive, the bat turning in his hand, as it balloons over cover for two. There’s the intent from the captain. He holds his shape off the last ball as he eases a gorgeous drive down the ground for four. I predict an exciting half hour coming up.

And while there’s a break between overs, take a read of this great piece from Taha:

105th over: South Africa 329-7 (Bavuma 132, Harmer 33) Boland is full to both batters, inviting the drive. After a pushed single to mid-on from Bavuma, Harmer finds the middle of his bat with a sweetly struck off-drive, but the fielder didn’t have to move. Not much zip off the surface. Looking a little benign to be honest. Calm before the storm?

104th over: South Africa 328-7 (Bavu,a 131, Harmer 33) They’re running well between the wickets. But that over is worth just three, including a leg-bye. A full toss from Starc is met by a cautious prod from Bavuma who pings it to the fielder at deep point.

103rd over: South Africa 325-7 (Bavuma 129, Harmer 33) Seven runs off that Boland over, all run. A three that was dinked off the pads by Harmer to go along with a clipped two from Bavuma and a pair of singles. This partnership is now wroth 83. Some fightback from the Saffas.

102nd over: South Africa 318-7 (Bavuma 125, Harmer 30) A maiden from Starc, round the wicket, looking to bang a length at Harmer, to start the session.

The players are back out. Do the South Africans look to press the accelerator and biff their way to a declaration? Of course a draw keeps the series alive for Cape Town, but they need a victory here if they want to win the whole thing.

And this is a pitch that has favoured the new ball. If Australia are two or three down before the close that could set things up nicely.

But that’ll all come out in the wash. Starc to get us going again.

100th over: South Africa 318-7 (Bavuma 125, Harmer 30) Another drag down from Hazlewood, another crunching pull from Harmer who climbs into this tame half-tracker and hits it well in front of the sweeper square of the wicket. Lovely shot. The Aussies look flat. This tea break can’t come soon enough.

99th over: South Africa 313-7 (Bavuma 124, Harmer 26) Less than 10 minutes to the tea break. These Saffas won’t want to lose their wicket now. Just the one run off that Webster over.

Steve Smith is receiving treatment on his finger. The camera has cut to him getting some heavy strapping. So the finger is not broken, or if it is he’s soldiering on.

98th over: South Africa 312-7 (Bavuma 123, Harmer 26) Hazlewood returns but he looks a shadow of what he was in Durban. His first ball back is a yuck half tracker that Harmer swats in front of square for four. A few balls later Bavuma is on strike and gets a thick edge that is dropped by Smith! It was a tough chance that dropped in front of him, but that is definitely a drop and he’s off the park as his finger needs attention. Could be bad news for him when he has to bat!

97th over: South Africa 306-7 (Bavuma 122, Harmer 21) Webster over pitches and Bavuma leans forward and plays a textbook perfect on drive. Phew, that should come with a parental warning sticker. That stroke also brings up the 300, a milestone that looked incomprehensible at the start of the day. But Bavuma’s not done. Another half volley, this one on his pads, is clipped through midwicket for four more.

96th over: South Africa 298-7 (Bavuma 114, Harmer 21) Cummins has found some extra zip. Perhaps a consequence of his frustrations that this South African lower order has produced the goods. His first ball is a sharp bouncer that lifts off a tricky length and has Bavuma leaping and fending without any control. Then he hits the back of Harmer’s helmet; the batter ducking and turning his head away at the last second. The four leg-byes will only irritate the Aussie skipper. After some attention from the physio, Harmer flicks Cummins through midwicket for four more. That’s a proper cricket shot and another productive over for the home side.

95th over: South Africa 289-7 (Bavuma 113, Harmer 17) A tidy over from Webster who could have had the wicket of Bavuma, if only the thick inside edge onto the back thigh was held by Carey up to the stumps. Webster thought it was lbw, and they burned a review finding out. A single to Bavuma means he’ll be on strike for the next set. Starting to wonder now what the plan is for the home side. Just bat to tea and have a think?

They’re reviewing for lbw against Bavuma. They don’t look confident. Carey, up to the stumps, isn’t sure. But worth a punt I guess, especially as Webster was certain.

Ooooh, unless there’s an inside edge this could be close.

But there is a thick inside edge. Which means, that is technically a dropped catch from Carey! But it was a half chance at best.

94th over: South Africa 288-7 (Bavuma 112, Harmer 17) Maiden from Cummins to Harmer. I wonder if this little period raises the case for Lyon’s selection. Webster, Renshaw and Maddinson have been used as support acts, but with Hazlewood unwell (which of course they couldn’t have planned for) the lack of a proper spinner has been telling. Just a thought.

93rd over: South Africa 288-7 (Bavuma 112, Harmer 17) Big Beau Webster into the attack – SA won’t mind that – and his first delivery is a tame throw down that Bavuma leans into and drives for four through the covers. When Webster drags his length back a touch there is some movement off the pitch. Another thing the South Africans, especially their bowlers, won’t mind.

92nd over: South Africa 284-7 (Bavuma 108, Harmer 17) A flick through midwicket adds two more to Bavuma’s tally. Cummins dangles a couple of tempters outside the off stump that Bavuma lets go, bringing a smile to Cummins’ face. Cummins closes the set by going wide of the crease to create a new angle, but a thick inside edge sees it bobble down to fine leg for a single.

91st over: South Africa 281-7 (Bavuma 105, Harmer 17) Hazlewood finds the thick edge of Harmer’s prodding bat with a back of a length banger, but it flies between second and fourth slip and trickles away for four. You want to scream as a bowler when that happens. This eighth wicket stand now worth 39.

90th over: South Africa 276-7 (Bavuma 104, Harmer 13) After bringing up his hundred with a mighty pull for four, Bavuma drops and runs to get back up the other end and reflect on what he’s achieved. Cummins sorts his length to Harmer and almost bowls him with a nip-backer as the batter shouldered arms. Question now is what happens next? SA need 20 wickets to win this match and we are halfway through day three. Do they go ballistic now? We wait and see.

89th over: South Africa 271-7 (Bavuma 99, Harmer 13) Harmer stands tall and punches Hazlewood for four through point. That’s a pretty good shot for a number 9. The rest of the over passes without incident which means Bavuma will be on strike. Change of bowler. Captain to captain as Cummins revs up.

88th over: South Africa 267-7 (Bavuma 99, Harmer 9) Heart in mouth stuff! Bavuma gets to 99 with a single and Harmer gives him back the strike. He has two balls to to get his hundred in this over. The first is an inside edge onto his pads. That could have gone anywhere! He also considers a run but the ball is right on his toes. The last ball is a bumper down the leg side. He swishes at it. Was there a glove? No. He survives. Oh my word. What must he be going through under that helmet?

87th over: South Africa 264-7 (Bavuma 98, Harmer 7) Boland is on the money, probing Harmer’s fifth stump for five balls. His last delivery is a drag down bumper that doesn’t climn and Harmer unfurls a crunching pull shot. But it’s straight to the sweeper at backward square and they come through for a single. He’ll keep the strike.

86th over: South Africa 263-7 (Bavuma 98, Harmer 6) Bavuma steers Starc for four down to deep third with a lovely touch and then nudges off his pads for a couple – though a direct hit would have sent a diving Harmer at the non-striker’s end packing, prompting an apology and a wry smile from the skipper – to bring him that much closer to a ton. I’m going to avoid saying anything else about this innings, or in fact the over, for fear of putting the mockers on him.

And if he wasn’t on a knife’s edge, he’ll have to stay calm throughout this drinks break.

Cheers Geoff, and g’day everyone.

Yes indeed. Just a few thwacks from Temba’s blade will do it. He’s dealing in nurdled singles though. Can the rest of this SA line-up drag him there?

85th over: South Africa 256-7 (Bavuma 91, Harmer 5) Boland to Harmer, gives him a short ball as if to remind him that even those of more modest pace can do it too. I wouldn’t fancy being hit by a bouncer at 130 kph, I can tell you. Better than 140, but not much better. Fourth ball of the over, though, Harmer shows that he can bat, getting a bad ball on his pads and flicking it behind square for four.

That’s it for me today. Time to hand over to Daniel Gallan, who will be sharing tears of joy with you if Temba Bavuma can bring up Test century #5. That will make him the Lou Bega of Test centuries. Rrrrrrrup!

84th over: South Africa 251-7 (Bavuma 91, Harmer 1) Starc getting a touch of inswing to the right-handers, bowling over the wicket. Not bowling full enough to challenge Harmer’s pads though, he’s allowing Harmer to defend at navel height rather than shin. Then bumps him, and the new Kooka flies to the boundary for five wides. Way over Carey. And that ball does its job, which is to make Harmer nervous about getting forward to the next one, a tentative drive that beats the bat. Cummins and Starc think there’s a noise, in fact, from the scrambled seam ball. Carey is not intersted whatsoever, and he is vindicated, with a wasted review. Sub umpire Arno Jacobs gets it right, he’s standing in for the Gaffer, because Chris Gaffaney is off duty while sick again. He’s not had a good time in Gqeberha historically.

All that done, Harmer gets off the mark with a straight drive.

83rd over: South Africa 244-7 (Bavuma 90, Harmer 0) Boland does his thing, sitting just outside that off stump, having Harmer block away after Bavuma takes a run to point.

82nd over: South Africa 243-7 (Bavuma 89, Harmer 0) Starc really had fixed his radar issues for a while, but they’ve been back in this Test. Bowls one wildly wide of the off stump, just within the bounds of legality, then follows up with a jaffa that almost takes out Harmer’s off stump as the batter leaves. Not quite full enough.

81st over: South Africa 242-7 (Bavuma 88, Harmer 0) Now it’s up to Simon Harmer to support his skipper.

80th over: South Africa 242-6 (Bavuma 88, Jansen 85) Farewell, old ball, we scarcely knew thee. Webster does well with it, beats Bavuma’s edge at one stage, but he’ll be straight back to the margins unless they get another 30 overs.

79th over: South Africa 241-6 (Bavuma 88, Jansen 84) Gangling down to drive, like a praying mantis on her way to munch the skull of her boyfriend, Jansen pounces at Maddinson but can’t quite gobble him up, inside edge past the stumps for two rather than hitting straight. I don’t think he was looking to launch that, just wanting to get to the pitch in order to go along the ground.

Does have a big swing later in the over, though! Fine nick off the inside edge, takes the ball just past leg stump. He was gone for all money there, Jansen, had cleared the path to the pegs and was about be bowled middle stump as he edged that.

Forget what I said about him putting his shots away. Four runs.

78th over: South Africa 232-6 (Bavuma 87, Jansen 76) Now Hazlewood goes back on ice, Webster coming in. So Cummins will presumably start with Boland and Starc with the new ball, but wants he and Hazlewood to have a crack with it a few overs later. Funny how the scoring has dried up since lunch: did Bavuma and Shukri Conrad have a strategy chat with Jansen over the sandwiches? Jansen has put all his big shots away.

77th over: South Africa 230-6 (Bavuma 86, Jansen 75) Cummins takes a break, Maddinson replacing him, and Jansen gallops down and edges into his pad, on the bounce through to slip. A couple of singles in the over, the boundary gush has certainly stopped. Today, the new ball will either mean wickets or fours, you’d reckon.

76th over: South Africa 227-6 (Bavuma 84, Jansen 74) Hazlewood continues, gives some width, and slashed away by Bavuma! He’s confident with this old ball that there won’t be any sideways movement, so he can reach for it and open the blade, carving through deep third. Maybe Bavuma doesn’t want Jansen to catch him?

75th over: South Africa 222-6 (Bavuma 79, Jansen 74) Big Marco launches into another pull shot against Cummins, but this time the sweeper keeps him to one. A shorter bouncer makes the tall man duck: discretion, valour, and all that.

What’s the over-under on when Jansen’s score passes Bavuma’s? He was on track to do it about an hour before lunch, but has slowed the charge since reaching 50.

74th over: South Africa 220-6 (Bavuma 78, Jansen 73) It’s Hazlewood time! He’s finally allowed to bowl after having been off the field for hours yesterday. Strange to bring him on so soon ahead of the new ball, he could bowl four overs with the old one at this rate. One or two with the old ball to get into a groove used to be a thing, not sure about four, soaking up half of a spell. Starts ok, good bit of bounce.

73rd over: South Africa 218-6 (Bavuma 77, Jansen 72) Cummins to begin after the lunch break, and nothing dramatic happens in that first over. A leg bye and a single. South Africa batting time here, as much as scoring runs, is having an impact, because it’s reducing Australia’s chance of setting up a route to victory by running through the quickly first up.

We’re back!

Gervase Greene sends tribute from Sydney. “Pretty hard not to like Temba Bavuma. Comes in late and bats at 2-fer, 3-fer and then 4-fer, on a damp pitch doing a fair bit and Boland going ape... and still plays as steadily as you like, scoring freely still and even tonking one literally over the grandstand. As if it weren’t hard enough leading a team in an inherently fractious country, given a history still being worked through, he is quite remarkable. About two feet tall, but as wickets fell around him he stood up to a scary Starc, Baz Boland and Captain Planet as if he hadn’t a care in the world. Respect.”

“Last I saw Jansen bat against Aus he was at seven, and a candidate for the least technical batter I’d ever seen in that position - looks a marvellous eight though. Funny the gulf between a single place in the order.”

He was always too high at seven, Eamonn Maloney, he’s a ball-striker rather than a batter. He looks great when it works, and less good when he whacks one to a catcher in the deep too early in his stay, like he did in Durban. Many players like this in history. Now and then they make hundreds. He’s got a chance today. Shades of Mitchell Johnson in South Africa in 2009.

72nd over: South Africa 216-6 (Bavuma 76, Jansen 72) Webster is bowling his mediums, if you’re wondering. Bavuma happy to soak up the final over of the session.

“You know what, we should have picked Nathan Lyon...” goes one email. Rowan Sweeney, I do not believe that your hypothesis is supported by the data. Boland 4 for 57 out of 6 for 216.

71st over: South Africa 216-6 (Bavuma 76, Jansen 72) Maddinson now with left-arm spin. Something to break the concentration. Doesn’t look the worst, a bit of loop from around the wicket to the right-handers. One slip in place. The bowler gets away with a bit, given the imminent break. Bowl Jansen a low full toss normally, and he’d try to hit it into orbit.

70th over: South Africa 213-6 (Bavuma 74, Jansen 71) Finally, Webster gets a go. Batting seven, getting an over before lunch: they’re making him more of a bit-part player in this side than he needs to be. Bavuma’s masterful control of the innings continues, dropping a ball behind point for a run. It’s hard to remember a mistake that he’s made. Perhaps those two flirtations facing Starc. Jansen a run off the pads, Bavuma the same.

69th over: South Africa 210-6 (Bavuma 72, Jansen 70) Another quiet Renshaw over, three singles.

68th over: South Africa 207-6 (Bavuma 70, Jansen 69) Starc a good short ball, right on line, but Jansen sways back out of the way of that one, dropping his gloves from upper chest height. He’s only got so much restraint in him, though. Next ball is not as short, and Jansen clobbers it through midwicket for four! Breaks his bat, too. Cracks it, calls for a replacement.

Tom Barrington writes in. “Only able to follow the game on your OBO so maybe this is unfair, but have noticed on a few occasions you’ve mentioned Boland’s efforts in the field not being up to par. Combined with his minimal impact with the bat, do you think this may be another factor as to why he isn’t consistently in the side?”

Look, I don’t think he’s a bad fielder, he’s taken some excellent catches in the past, good hands, just not the most mobile, not fast off the mark. Like, it would be fair to say he’s the 11th-best fielder in this team, that’s why he’s at fine leg whenever possible, but that doesn’t mean he’s not good given international standards. Today he got in one tangle on the rope, and then didn’t get to a chance that a gun fielder might (might!) have got closer to. He’s not had a shocker.

67th over: South Africa 201-6 (Bavuma 69, Jansen 64) With Bavuma at the other end, the pace of an innings sure can change. Renshaw bowls six dot balls, though it’s not like Bavuma wasn’t trying to score, he just keeps finding the field. At one point it’s Labuschagne sliding along on his back, dragging the beck of his cable-knit sweater halfway down his spine as he finally stops the ball.

66th over: South Africa 201-6 (Bavuma 69, Jansen 64) Another reprieve for Jansen, big top edge from Starc that swirls on its way towards fine leg, but Boland coming in off the rope seems to lose track of the ball. It drops well short of him in the end. A more nimble fielder might have got there. Jansen gets a run, then gets back on strike, and stepping outside leg, drives three to deep cover. They score from five balls of that over, excellent rotation, and they’re past 200. South Africa in the game!

65th over: South Africa 194-6 (Bavuma 66, Jansen 60) DRS does it’s job! This would have been one of those bad-taste injustices of yesteryear, but it ends up the right way around now. Renshaw is convinced that he has Jansen’s wicket. A prod outside off stump, the ball past the edge, and a sound before it lands in the keeper’s gloves. That’s good enough for most umpires, and good enough for Dick Illy, who gives it out. But Jansen immediately reviews, and the tape shows a sliver of daylight between bat and ball, at exactly the moment that the bottom corner of the bat brushes the flap of the pad. A tiny bit of contact that no umpire could see, a tiny noise that the umpire just heard, and the mistake was entirely understandable, but it doesn’t end Jansen’s batting day.

64th over: South Africa 191-6 (Bavuma 65, Jansen 58) Starc comes back, and for a moment stems the bleeding. Jansen is almost out, skimming a ball to mid on, but just on the bounce. I think he half bailed out of that shot, in which case, well played.

63rd over: South Africa 190-6 (Bavuma 64, Jansen 58) Almost through the comm box window! Whoosh. The boxes at St George’s Park are positioned right on top of the sight screen, and Jansen absolutely murders a flat straight hit off Renshaw that just clips the roof above the commentary box for the TV, otherwise it would have showered that lot in a spray of broken glass. I hope they have safety glass in those frames… even so, it would have been messy. Jansen is flying, he’s nearly caught Bavuma in less than a third of the deliveries.

61st over: South Africa 175-6 (Bavuma 62, Jansen 45) Australia will turn to spin, but it has to come from their bevy of part-timers. Matt Renshaw will be the gamble, after a couple of wickets in Durban. Low full toss to start, driven back past him for a run by Bavuma, half stopped. Jansen chops his first ball past off stump, inside edge, then gets respectfully forward to block the next. Big shot feels inevitable. Perhaps luckily for Jansen, he gets a short one, so he can lash at it with all his force but still hit it along the ground, one run to deep point.

60th over: South Africa 173-6 (Bavuma 61, Jansen 44) Cummins is getting towelled up! The Aussies need to find a way to change this up. A spinner might be handy… Length ball and Jansen smites it, cut through point. Ducks a bouncer next ball, setting up leg side of the delivery, and Cummins has noted that, and slips in the yorker… it misses by a millimetre! That shaves the off stump as it goes by, it beat Jansen easily, he was hanging back and jammed down desperately but can’t intercept the ball. So nearly out.

59th over: South Africa 169-6 (Bavuma 61, Jansen 40) Bavuma is really growing into his work, for partial reward. Absolutlely gorgeous on-drive, a very straight one, but the mid on is set straight, so he doesn’t get a run. Then a square punch just in front of point, again crisp contact, no excessive force, but that shot is hauled back before the rope, two runs there. Finally, to end the over, Bavuma gets to try the on-drive again, this time getting it wider, and finally sends Boland to the fence. Sunshine baking the pitch, and it’s certainly offering less movement, according to the eye. Not sure what the Viz stats have to say about that.

58th over: South Africa 163-6 (Bavuma 55, Jansen 40) Nearly caught in the deep! Jansen continues to live dangerously, but for now keeps collecting rewards. Takes on Cummins with the pull shot, and the man at deep square leg loiters under it, but it just clears him and carries the rope. A metre or so in that. Some ones and twos around that in the over makes it a highly profitable one, a dozen runs from it.

57th over: South Africa 151-6 (Bavuma 52, Jansen 31) Beats him! Boland shows Jansen what he has in his locker, classic Boland seam away, so nearly the edge. Then goes at Jansen with the short ball again, a nasty one up at the gloves, but Jansen manages to play it down off glove and bat handle into the leg side and escape the strike. Drinks.

56th over: South Africa 150-6 (Bavuma 52, Jansen 30) Three singles from Starc’s over. Given the Hazlewood absence we’ll be seeing Webster Time soon. Still 24 overs from a possible new ball – break this stand and it may not be needed.

55th over: South Africa 147-6 (Bavuma 51, Jansen 28) You can hit Scotty Boland! Jansen channels a bit of the England approach from 2023. It’s not an overpitched ball exactly, but Jansen is so tall that his straight drive is able to meet it a shorter time after it lands. Very clean straight drive clears long off for six. Boland puts square leg back and goes the bouncer, and Jansen resists, just.

53rd over: South Africa 135-6 (Bavuma 47, Jansen 21) That looks better from Jansen! Sublime on-drive from Scott Boland! Goodness me, what a shot. That comes after he clipped a boundary off his pads. Eight from Boland’s over, unheard of. Jansen has scored 20 in his last 11 balls.

52nd over: South Africa 127-6 (Bavuma 47, Jansen 13) Marco Jansen knows only one way, so he throws the bat at Starc and gets lucky. One edge, another couple through cover but with no technique, just whoosing the bat and getting middle. Three boundaries in the over makes for good reading, but doesn’t promise a long stay.

Luca Human writes in, no need for the skin suit when communicating remotely. “Unfortunately the alien overlords have decided to give me a runny nose today, which does nothing to dampen my enthusiasm for the cricket. Quick Q: would you say Jansen and/or Rabada are top 10 Test bowlers right now? And how does Starc keep his longevity?”

Rabada is probably top 20 ever, so he’s definitely top 10 now. Incredible performer despite relatively limited opportunities and constant interruptions given SA’s stop-start schedule. Jansen is a bit like Boland: amazing numbers, but the sample size is still short of 100 wickets. He’s probably top 10 fast bowlers in the world right now, nearer 10 than top, though maybe not there if you include spinners.

As for Starc, just a relentless commitment to fitness, close attention to recovery, no alcohol, limited T20 league bowling means he takes breaks where he can, lanky sort of body and smooth action maybe makes him less injury prone as an older player. Conditioning in this era is a science, and he’s the beneficiary.

51st over: South Africa 114-6 (Bavuma 47, Jansen 0) Lovely on-drive from Bavuma, four down the ground, and Cummins replies with a forehead-seeking missile that the RSA captain barely avoids. And another one! Leaping at him, and Bavuma leaps, that was Robin Smith style, both feet off the ground while yanking his head away from the line over middle stump. Yikes.

49th over: South Africa 110-5 (Bavuma 43, Mulder 13) George from Brisbane: “Is Josh Hazlewood on the field?” Yep, or at least he was a few minutes ago, last time I saw him. Standing at mid on, best I can tell from the long lens. Australia opening up with Boland, on the hot streak, and Cummins for aggression. Good bouncer from Cummins! Perfect badge height to Mulder, who just gets under it. That might be why he sprints a single to mid on, and indeed there is Hazlewood, underarming at the stumps.

48th over: South Africa 108-5 (Bavuma 42, Mulder 12) Boland again, the whole over to Mulder. Goes past his edge a couple of times, and tries the bouncer variation in the middle, but Mulder is equal to that at least, and pulls a couple of runs.

47th over: South Africa 106-5 (Bavuma 42, Mulder 10) Bavuma looks intent on settling in. Cummins gives him a couple of bouncers, but he’s very happy to get out of the way. The tempter outside off stump is allowed to pass by. Contrast that to Mulder, who plays and misses at one of those.

46th over: South Africa 105-5 (Bavuma 42, Mulder 9) Boland to Bavuma may be the defining battle of the day. Scott is working him well, arrow-straight on that off-stump line, seam just gently lilting to the left and then the right, nipping in at the right-hander, who defends well, and eventually can deflect one such ball to leg for his first run of the day. Mulder follows suit.

45th over: South Africa 103-5 (Bavuma 41, Mulder 8) Not great fielding from Boland to start the day, sliding across at fine leg in awkward fashion, half on his back and his backside rather than sliding headfirst or feet first. That means that he touches Mulder’s glance but can’t stop it ricocheting into the rope. Cummins not wildly impressed. South Africa tons up. Mulder picks off a couple more to midwicket. He batted well in the Durban rearguard. He’s needed again. Three tons in his career, though they’re all against Zimbabwe and Bangladesh.

44th over: South Africa 97-5 (Bavuma 41, Mulder 2) It will be Boland to start the day, with the sun shining and the greenness having gone out of the grass. He spoke yesterday about not wanting to give players an easy leave early in their innings, but Bavuma is able to leave three of six balls to start the day.

First email of the day from Kenrick Riley.

“Dear Geoff, thanks for the link to that doco. What a ride you two’ve had! [That was yesterday, see the post here.] Anyway, I stupidly bet my mate that Boland would take 7-27 in the first innings. Mind you, at 4-31, if he got a hat trick now, I’d be only four runs off my prediction! Thanks for the blog.”

That was a bold prediction, given it would be in the top 25 Australian innings analyses ever, but sometimes one has to be bold. Seven wickets is still well and truly on. In theory, equalling Laker’s 19 is still on.

Scott Boland with 4 for 31 has been the story of the first two days, and he’ll have plenty of opportunity for a five-wicket bag in his first foray to South Africa as a cricketer. He’s now played in his fifth country, as well as England, India, West Indies, and at home.

There’s a line I’ve been seeing more often in the last couple of days saying, oh, well, he only has such good stats because he gets picked in favourable conditions. Which is the kind of thing someone would say who doesn’t watch the cricket or remember much. This is Boland’s 20th Test, and only three out of 20 have been played as part of four fast bowlers. And only three out of those 20 have been unsuccessful with the ball (Nagpur, Edgbaston, Leeds). So he’s played in a wide range of conditions, usually as a replacement for part of the Big Three rather than a complement to them, and has succeeded far more often than most bowlers in history.

You can email me anytime during the day – an OBO tradition. Thoughts, prayers, threats, curses, incantations.

Another point of interest is how Josh Hazlewood pulls up today, after being off the field crook yesterday. He and umpire Chris Gaffaney. Did they have a quiet dinner at an unvetted seafood joint?

After a couple of days filled with rain interruptions that have only allowed a total of 43 overs, the skies have cleared and the sun is shining in Gqeberha with the mercury expected to hit 20C. Play will resume 15 minutes earlier than originally planned with first ball now at 9.45am local/6.45pm AEDT/8.45am BST and South Africa back at the crease.

Geoff Lemon will be with us shortly for a proper introduction, but for now catch up on his report from day two.

Stop me if you’ve heard this one before. Scott Boland had to wait a long time. Scott Boland took a wicket as soon as he got a chance. It was the same story on day two of the second Test at Gqeberha as it had been on day one, with rain delaying play, this time until deep into the afternoon. When a wet outfield had finally dried enough to allow play to resume in African sunshine, South Africa lost three more wickets to finish on 97 for 5.