Proteas captain puts his side in strong position at tea on day three

Temba Bavuma’s fifth Test century - his first against Australia - has dug South Africa out of a deep hole, and given them the opportunity to put Pat Cummins’ team under pressure at St. George’s Park.

Bavuma, who finished Tuesday’s second session unbeaten on 125, raised both hands in the air, took in the applause of grateful teammates, a small crowd and copped a bearhug from batting partner Simon Harmer, after reaching the landmark. There might be an argument that his second innings performance in the World Test Championship final was more important, but it wasn’t better than this display in which he had to weather a storm early, before thriving when batting conditions improved under sunny Gqeberha skies.

South Africa reached tea on 318/7, a scarcely believable total given they were 20/2 after only 12 overs were bowled the first day and then 40/4 midway through the only session of play possible on day two.

Bavuma had to stave off wave after wave of attacks from the Australians, and having done so, he has been able to increase his side’s scoring, thanks in part to Marco Jansen’s counter-punching 85 and then Simon Harmer’s resolute 30 not out.

Bavuma’s decision making across the board has been excellent. He’s known what to leave, when to defend and taken advantage when scoring opportunities have been on offer - whether hooking Cummins for six, like he did on Monday, or driving with care and purpose on both sides of the wicket.

The only chance he offered was on 112, with the Australians referring an lbw for review by the third umpire. The replays showed an inside edge, but Alex Carey standing up to the stumps to Beau Webster was hit in the chest by the ball.

Having taken just one wicket in the first session, Australia also only had t the singular moment of success in the afternoon, with Scott Boland, deservedly claiming a five-for.

Having struck Jansen in the groin with the first delivery with the second new ball, leaving Jansen rolling on the ground in agony, the lanky all-rounder then lifted a leg-stump half-volley three deliveries later to Travis Head at midwicket. It is the fifth five-wicket haul in Boland’s stellar career.

Jansen hit nine fours and three sixes in his 85, with the aggression he displayed, changing the momentum of the innings. His partnership with his captain was worth 132 runs.