South Africa reeling at 97-5 after Boland strikes on rain-curtailed day

Australia's Scott Boland added two more wickets to his tally on day two of the second Test. | Photo Credit: AP

Australia paceman Scott Boland continued to torment South Africa’s batsmen with two more ​wickets on Monday to leave the hosts on 97 runs for ‌five wickets at stumps on the second day ​of the second test at St George’s ⁠Park.

Boland finished the rain-affected day with figures of 4-31 to put Australia in a strong position with South Africa to resume on ‌Tuesday with captain Temba Bavuma 41 not out and Wiaan Mulder unbeaten with two runs.

Play got ‌underway at 3:45 p.m. local time (13:45 GMT) with 30.4 ‌overs ⁠bowled after heavy rain in the morning threatened ⁠to wash out Monday’s play.

Boland, who took two wickets in the one hour of play possible on Sunday, added a third in the ​third over of the ‌second day’s play, inducing an edge from debutant opener Marques Ackerman, who was dismissed for six.

Matthew Breetzke, brought into the home line-up after the 214-run defeat in the ‌first test in Durban last week, then departed ​for four runs after he was also caught behind by wicketkeeper Alex Carey, playing away from ⁠his body to Mitchell Starc’s left-arm delivery.

South Africa were in a precarious position at 40-4 but Bavuma led a fightback ‌with Ryan Rickelton as they put on 52 runs for the fifth wicket.

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Rickelton was dropped on 26 by leg slip Marnus Labuschagne off captain Pat Cummins in what looked a regulation chance, but he only added five more runs before a brilliant one-handed catch by Matt Renshaw ‌at first slip gave Boland a fourth wicket.

Bavuma provided some home ​hope with a resolute innings in spite of the relentless pressure from the Australian attack, which ⁠had to do without Josh Hazlewood, who took a career-best 6-49 ⁠in the first test but was absent with an upset stomach.

No more rain is forecast for ‌the rest of the test as Australia look to wrap up the three-match series. Extra time is to ​be added to all three sessions on Tuesday.