Boland exposes South Africa's frailties to give Robinson blueprint

For much of Monday it appeared rain would deny any meaningful play taking place on day two of the second Test between South Africa and Australia.

In the end, the hosts may have wished that remained the case as their top-order frailties were exposed once again in Gqeberha.

With the Proteas 97-5 at the close, the balance of power in the series remains firmly with Australia.

It took Australia's metronome Scott Boland only seven deliveries to add to his two wickets taken amid the rain on day one.

Relentless in his line and lengths, the 37-year-old found the perfect length to drag debutant Marques Ackerman onto the front foot.

Ackerman defended nicely for 38 balls but here he neither defended nor unleashed a drive.

Instead, he stumbled forward and became the 85th victim of Boland's 20-Test career as he nicked through to wicketkeeper Alex Carey.

Boland ended the day with 4-31 as he, once again, emphatically pushed his case.

That Ackerman, one of two batting changes from their first-Test defeat, was opening the batting against the red ball for the first time in his career pointed to the issues South Africa face.

The other new face, Matthew Breetzke, was brought in on the back of his white-ball form after Tristan Stubbs played two poor strokes in the first Test.

Breetzke's feet barely moved in making four from 17. He was eventually dismissed trying to force Mitchell Starc loosely through the covers off the back foot.

A result of Ackerman's selection was Ryan Rickelton, another fine white-ball player with a modest red-ball record, being moved from opener to number six and wicketkeeper.

After top-edging a pull last week, he was worked over by Pat Cummins' bouncers late on day two.

He had already been hit on the body and dropped on 26 by Marnus Labuschagne when, stuck on the crease, he edged Boland while pushing tentatively outside off stump.

On another day the ball would have found the turf but Matt Renshaw stuck out a right hand at first slip and somehow scooped the ball up above the ground.

Boland's Test bowling average now stands at 18.08. No bowler since the First World War has taken as many wickets at a better rate.

His probing has ensured Australia have not missed spinner Nathan Lyon, who he replaced, or Josh Hazlewood, who remained at the team hotel throughout the day because of illness.

Of Boland's 84 deliveries across this innings, 63% of his deliveries were on a good line and length, while 24% of those would have gone on to hit the stumps.

On the latter metric, Cummins has the next best record but lags behind at 12%.

Whether Boland has proven yet again he is ideal for seaming conditions or that he is deserving of more more opportunities can be debated. Ollie Robinson, who bowls a similar style, will surely have taken note as he prepares for England's tour of South Africa back home.

With the weather set to improve, the Proteas have three days remaining in this Test to reverse the momentum of the series which only appears to be heading in one direction.

Much will depend on Temba Bavuma, who remained on 41 not out, and seamer Kagiso Rabada.

Rabada returned match figures of 11-150 against Australia on this ground in 2018 - a South Africa win which levelled that four-match series going into the infamous Sandpaper Test.

The hosts may need similar and more here because right now their batting does not appear up to the test.