In Durban is generally a lot better to bat first, and the Proteas admit that they were surprised when the Tigers opted to bowl first after winning the toss.

South Africa got off to a good start with the game Dean Elgar and Temba Bavuma each scoring half-centuries.

The start of play was delayed by half an hour due to a faulty sightscreen and this frustrated the players in both camps.

The captain Elgar scored 67, while Sarel Erwee contributed with 41.

In his 50th Test, Temba Bavuma, was unbeaten on 53, while the wicketkeeper, Kyle Verreynne was on 27 not out when play was suspended due to bad light.

The debutant, Ryan Rickelton, who scored 21 runs, said they were more than happy to bat first.

“I was personally was quite surprised, said the 25-year-old about Bangladesh's decision to bowl first.

“In Durban we usually bat first because the wicket usually takes turn as it wears on, so I was quite surprised.

“I know that if we won the toss we were going to bat. Maybe the nature of the pitch, lot of people probably saying that they haven't seen that in Durban. 

“Maybe that pushed them towards bowling first to try and get the most out of their seamers, having picked only three.

“Like I said we were happy to have a bat first.”

The Proteas will resume their first innings at 10:00 on Friday morning on 233/4.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport