SOUTH Africa mounted a spirited fightback against Australia on day three of the second Test at St George’s Park in Gqeberha, reaching 216/6 at lunch after a difficult start to their first innings.

Captain Temba Bavuma and Marco Jansen were the heroes of the morning session, putting together an unbroken 106-run partnership to steady the Proteas after Australia’s pace attack had reduced them to 110/6. Bavuma was unbeaten on 76, while Jansen had raced to 72, counter-attacking with some powerful strokeplay.

Scott Boland remained Australia’s leading threat, with 4/57, while Mitchell Starc had taken 2/62. Wiaan Mulder was the only wicket to fall in the morning, caught off Starc for 13. The Proteas still trailed Australia’s first-innings total, but the Bavuma-Jansen stand had given them renewed hope.

At the time of this report, Jansen had been dismissed for a fluent 85 (100 balls, 9x4s, 3x6s). Simon Harmer (17*) was at the crease with a patient captain Bavuma (112 (237 balls, 12x4s, 1x6), 

The Proteas were on 288/7 in the 93rd over.