Only 12.2 overs were possible at St George’s Park on Sunday before persistent rain ended play. Debutant Marques Ackerman was unbeaten on five alongside captain Temba Bavuma on four.

Australia captain Pat Cummins won the toss and elected to bowl, with the visitors bringing in Boland for Nathan Lyon in an all-seam attack.

Rain delayed the start before Aiden Markram and Ackerman negotiated the opening exchanges against Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood. The Proteas reached 11-0 after 5.3 overs when another shower forced the players off and an early lunch was taken.

Boland made the breakthrough in his second over after the restart. Markram attempted a drive against a delivery that jagged back in, taking an inside edge onto his stumps to dismiss him for 11.

David Bedingham fell to the next ball, edging behind to Alex Carey for a golden duck as South Africa slipped to 12-2.

Ackerman and Bavuma added eight runs before rain interrupted play again. An early tea was taken, but conditions failed to improve and the players did not return.

South Africa will resume on Monday needing to rebuild after a difficult start. The hosts trail the three-match series 1-0 following their 214-run defeat in Durban.

Photo: Richard Huggard/Gallo Images