Scott Boland has taken four of South Africa's five wickets to fall, including that of Ryan Rickelton late on another rain-hit day in Gqeberha, as Australia reduced their hosts to 97-5 in the second Test.

After rain washed out the first two sessions of the second day, when South Africa's first innings finally resumed at 20-2 they swiftly lost a third wicket after only a couple of overs.

Boland (4-31), who had taken two wickets with consecutive deliveries on day one, added debutant Marques Ackerman caught behind for six.

Mitchell Starc (1-27) then struck to remove Matthew Breetzke (4) - also nicking off, when chasing a wide drive - to have the Proteas rocking at 40-4.

Australia were shorn of one of their four-pronged front-line pace options, with Josh Hazlewood absent on day two due to illness. He is expected to be available for the remainder of the Test.

South Africa gradually grew into proceedings, their captain Temba Bavuma leading from the front with an unbeaten 41 as part of a fifty partnership for the fifth wicket with Rickelton.

But, just as the pair would have been preparing to put their feet up for the evening and resume battle in the morning, Rickelton - dropped on 26 by Marnus Labuschagne - became Boland's latest victim as Matt Renshaw claimed a sensational, one-handed catch low to his right at slip.

South Africa are the reigning world Test champions, having beaten current table-toppers Australia in the 2025 final, but they trail 1-0 in this three-match series after a heavy 214-run defeat in the first Test.