Scott Boland put Australia in a commanding position on day one of the second Test against South Africa, claiming two wickets despite much of the day's play being washed out by heavy rain. 

Australia captain Pat Cummins won the toss and put South Africa in to bat at St. George's Park in Gqeberha, but continuous rain interruptions hampered the hosts' momentum. 

Aiden Markram and debutant Marques Ackerman survived the opening passage before rain halted play after just 5.3 overs, but Boland, who surprisingly replaced Nathan Lyon in Australia's team for the second Test, quickly began to trouble the South African top order following the restart.

Markram saw his middle stump flattened just four balls into Boland's second over, while David Bedingham fell for a golden duck off the very next delivery, edging a ball outside off stump through to Alex Carey. 

South Africa skipper Temba Bavuma survived a nervy hat-trick ball from Boland, while Josh Hazlewood threatened from the other end before the rain returned to bring a premature end to the day's play after just 12.2 overs.  

Stumps On Day 1! Rain has the final say at Dafabet St George’s Park, with play abandoned for the day in the second Dafabet Test. #TheProteas end the day on 20/2 after 12.2 overs, with play set to resume tomorrow at 09:45.  #Unbreakable #SAvAUS 

— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) October 18, 2026