By NajamSports Team | October 19, 2026
Two days, forty-three overs, and Australia are already bossing this Test. At stumps on a rain-ruined second day in Gqeberha, South Africa limped to 97 for 5, with only their captain Temba Bavuma standing between the visitors and a first-innings rout. Scott Boland, brought into an all-pace attack, was superb again — 14 overs, five maidens, 4 for 31.
Mitchell Starc bowls to Temba Bavuma — file photo, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0, David Molloy Photography).
What Happened on Day Two?
After only 12.2 overs were possible on day one (South Africa 20/2 overnight — full details in my day one report), more than 60mm of overnight and morning rain kept everyone waiting again on Monday. Play finally began at 3:45pm local time, leaving room for only 30.4 overs — and Boland needed barely three of them to strike.
Debutant Marques Ackerman, who had ground out 38 balls for 6 on day one, edged behind off Boland in the day's third over. Matthew Breetzke, brought into the side after the 214-run hammering in Durban, lasted 17 balls for 4 before chasing a wide one from Mitchell Starc to Alex Carey. At 40 for 4, the world Test champions were staring down the barrel.
Bavuma's Lone Fight
What followed was the day's only real resistance. Bavuma and Ryan Rickelton added 52 for the fifth wicket, the best stand of the innings so far. Rickelton was dropped on 26 — Marnus Labuschagne spilling a regulation chance at leg slip off Pat Cummins — but added only five more before Boland had him fending outside off, with Matt Renshaw plucking a one-handed blinder at first slip after Carey declined to go for it.
Scott Boland — 4 for 31 on day two — file photo, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Bavuma finished on 41 not out off 108 balls (five fours, one six), with Wiaan Mulder 2 not out alongside him. The skipper faced nearly half the innings' deliveries and looked the only South African comfortable leaving the ball — which tells you everything about how the rest batted.
Scorecard Summary — Day 2 Stumps
- South Africa 97/5 (43 overs) — Toss: Australia won and chose to bowl
- Temba Bavuma 41* (108), Ryan Rickelton 31 (51), Aiden Markram 11, Marques Ackerman 6, Matthew Breetzke 4, David Bedingham 0, Wiaan Mulder 2*
- Scott Boland 14-5-31-4, Mitchell Starc 10-2-27-1
- Series: Australia lead 1-0 (won 1st Test in Durban by 214 runs)
Why This Day Matters
Two things stand out. First, Boland has turned into the story of this series. Picked when Australia went with an all-pace attack — the call analyzed in my preview of Australia's selection — he has now taken four of the five South African wickets to fall, at barely two an over. Nathan Lyon's omission looked brave; it currently looks inspired.
Second, the weather has quietly dragged the draw back into this match as a live result. Only 43 overs have been bowled in two days. Australia now effectively have three days to take 20 wickets — and South Africa's best path to saving the series is time, not heroics.
St George's Park, Gqeberha — file photo, Wikimedia Commons (public domain).
What Next? — Day Three
Day three is on Tuesday, and the forecast finally favours cricket: no more rain is expected, and extra time will be added to all three sessions to claw back the lost overs. Josh Hazlewood, who took a career-best 6 for 49 in Durban but missed day two with an upset stomach, is expected to be available again — which makes Australia's morning burst with the second new ball an ominous prospect for the hosts.
Our Analysis
Here is my honest read. South Africa's batting changes have failed — debutant Ackerman and recalled Breetzke managed 10 runs between them, and both fell to the same sin: fishing outside off stump at balls they should have left. Bavuma's 108-ball 41 was the innings of the day precisely because he refused to play at anything he didn't have to — that discipline, against Boland's relentless channel, is the duel that decides Tuesday morning.
My prediction: if South Africa somehow drag themselves past 200, this game is genuinely alive — the pitch has done enough under cloud cover to suggest their own bowlers get a crack too. But Australia need only two quick wickets in the morning session to bury the innings under 150 and turn the screws for a series-clinching win. With Hazlewood likely back, I fancy the visitors to get them.
Conclusion
Day two belonged to Scott Boland and the Gqeberha rain — in that order. South Africa close on 97/5 with their captain unbeaten but alone, Australia lead the series 1-0 and smell a decisive morning. Day three on Tuesday will tell us whether the world champions have any fight left in this series.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the score at stumps on day 2 of SA vs AUS 2nd Test?
South Africa are 97 for 5 in 43 overs. Temba Bavuma is 41 not out (108 balls) and Wiaan Mulder 2 not out. Scott Boland has 4 for 31, Mitchell Starc 1 for 27.
Why was only one session played on day 2?
More than 60mm of overnight and morning rain in Gqeberha delayed the start until 3:45pm local time, so only 30.4 overs were possible. Day one saw just 12.2 overs.
When does day 3 start and will Hazlewood play?
Day three is on Tuesday with extra time added to all three sessions and no rain forecast. Josh Hazlewood, absent on day two with illness, is expected to be available.
Sources
- Cricbuzz — Boland extends Australia's dominance on curtailed day 2 (scorecard verified)
- Sky Sports — Scott Boland takes fourth wicket late on rain-hit second day in Gqeberha
- Khaleej Times — Boland continues to torment South Africa in rain-hit second Test
- ESPNcricinfo — AFG vs ZIM match centre / series scorecards
- The Citizen — Proteas in trouble after day two of rain-hit Test