The Proteas took a total of 100/3 into lunch after losing two wickets early into the first session on Day 2 of the 3rd Test at Six Gun Grill Newlands.

Baking in the Cape Town heat, the Newlands pitch was predicted to be good to bat. But the key was to survive the first session of Day 2 with minimal damage done.

Unfortunately, the first bit of bad news was delivered by Jasprit Bumrah who squared Dean Elgar up in the final session on Day 1.

He continued to cause more problems for the hosts on Day 2, when Aiden Markram, taking middle stump guard, left a ball angling in that crashed into his off stump.

Nightwatchman, Keshav Maharaj, provided a crucial contribution with 25 before he was clean bowled middle stump, courtesy of Umesh Yadav.

Keegan Petersen and Rassie van der Dussen’s short term goal would have been to survive till lunch, so they can dig their heels in later on in the match, hoping that the effects of the sun baking on the pitch would provide an easier surface to score runs on.

KP was excellent in his approach, putting bad balls away, despite edging quite a few deliveries that fell short of slip.

A masterclass innings likened to Virat Kohli’s 79 off 201 balls, would be needed from a South African batter to keep themselves in the driving seat of the brilliant start that they had in the match as a result of wonderful bowling on Day 1.

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KP took his total to 40 off 86 balls and Rassie took his score to 17 off 42 balls.

The Proteas ended the session on 100/3 with a deficit of 123.

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