The Baggy Greens reached 330/4 in their first innings in Cape Town, with the returning Josh Inglis unbeaten on 85 and Alex Carey not out on 51 at the close of play. Matt Renshaw laid a solid foundation with 74 earlier in the innings, while Cameron Green, playing his first Test of the season after returning from injury, contributed a valuable 65.

The Proteas initially threatened to make inroads into the Australian batting line-up when Simon Harmer bowled Travis Head for 41 with the score on 58 in the 18th over. 

Just five balls later, Klerksdorp-born Marnus Labuschagne departed for a duck after being caught by Aiden Markram.

Josh Ingils. Photo: Cricinfo

However, South Africa struggled to maintain that early momentum as Renshaw and Green combined for a crucial 126-run partnership for the third wicket, shifting the momentum firmly in Australia’s favour.

Harmer and Marco Jansen claimed two wickets apiece for the Proteas, but there was little assistance on offer for the bowlers on a largely unresponsive Newlands surface.

Proteas bowling coach Piet Botha acknowledged that the challenging conditions were anticipated, although he felt his side could have done more to put the Australian batters under pressure.

Alex Carey. Photo: Cricinfo

“I would rate it probably six out of ten. We always knew it was going to be a tough day, given the way the wicket was playing,” said Botha.

“There was no lateral movement, so it was always going to require a big effort. I can’t fault the effort; I thought the commitment was there throughout the day.

“Perhaps, if we’re being self-critical, we didn’t bowl enough good lengths for long enough. On a pitch like that, you’ve got to build pressure by creating maidens and hopefully forcing a false shot. If you do that, the chances might come your way.

“I thought we needed a bit of luck, or things to go our way, but we probably didn’t create enough opportunities for that to happen.”

Botha also admitted that South Africa had failed to make the most of their opportunity with the bat after Marques Ackerman and Markram put together an impressive 158-run opening partnership on day one.

The Proteas had laid an excellent platform, but they were unable to convert it into a substantially bigger first-innings total.

Travis Head. Photo: Cricinfo

“We obviously felt we could have capitalised on the opening stand. It was a tremendous partnership, and there were a couple of shots that we probably shouldn’t have played,” said Botha.

“You always feel we didn’t make the most of that platform.

“Given the way the pitch was playing, we definitely should have scored more runs in the first innings. Then we were blown away by the new ball when the clouds came over. I was hoping the clouds would come over today as well.”

With Australia now in a strong position, Botha stressed the importance of making the most of the new ball and building sustained pressure in the hope of striking early on day three.

The Proteas will need to find a way to break through the partnership between Inglis and Carey before Australia can stretch their advantage and put further pressure on the home side.

“We’ve already faced a couple of overs with the new ball, so it’s still going to be tough for another 20 or 30 overs, hopefully,” Botha added.

“It’s going to require the same big effort, but perhaps we’ll focus a little more on stringing some dot balls together.”

Day three of the series-deciding Test at Newlands, in the shadow of Table Mountain, gets underway at 10:30 on Thursday, with South Africa looking to make early inroads and prevent Australia from building a commanding lead.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek cvs