Boland takes four as South Africa reach 97 for 5 on a rain-shortened day in Gqeberha

Scott Boland took four wickets as South Africa closed the second day on 97 for 5, with Temba Bavuma unbeaten on 41 and rain washing out the first two sessions at St George's Park

Australia tightened their grip on the second Test in Gqeberha on Monday, reducing South Africa to 97 for 5 from 43 overs after the weather had taken the morning and afternoon out of the day.

Scott Boland finished the day with 4-31 from 14 overs, and only Temba Bavuma, the South Africa captain, offered sustained resistance with an unbeaten 41 from 108 balls.

South Africa had resumed on 20 for 2 from 12.2 overs, the remains of a first day that rain had cut to a single session. Only 30.4 overs were possible on the second, and Australia used almost all of them.

Rain takes the first two sessions

Heavy overnight rain and a wet outfield left the ground unplayable through the morning, and both sides delayed their arrival at the venue while the covers stayed on.

Sunshine arrived in the late afternoon and play began at 3.45pm local time, with the umpires scheduling an extended evening session. The forecast for the remaining three days is better.

Australia, who had chosen to bowl after winning the toss, have not yet batted in the match.

Boland strikes in the third over

Boland needed three overs of the new day to break the stand, having Marques Ackerman caught behind by Alex Carey for 6 from 38 balls. The left-hander, making his Test debut, had survived the closing overs of day one.

Two wickets later the innings was in trouble. Mitchell Starc found the edge of Matthew Breetzke's bat with a rising delivery and Carey took his second catch of the day, leaving South Africa 40 for 4.

Starc returned 1-27. Boland, who had taken two wickets in two balls on the opening day, now had three.

Bavuma and Rickelton rebuild

Bavuma and Ryan Rickelton, who opened the batting in the first Test and has moved to the middle order here, put on 52 in 14 overs for the fifth wicket, the only substantial partnership of the innings so far.

Bavuma hit the innings' only six, a hook off Pat Cummins, and otherwise played within himself on a surface offering the seamers movement throughout.

Rickelton was dropped on 26, a chest-high chance off Cummins that Marnus Labuschagne could not hold at leg slip.

Renshaw's catch ends the stand

The reprieve bought Rickelton five more runs. He edged Boland on 31 from 51 balls, an innings containing five fours, and Matt Renshaw took the catch low and one-handed at slip to make it 92 for 5.

Wiaan Mulder saw out the remaining overs on 2 not out alongside his captain.

Boland begins the third day one wicket short of a five-for, with South Africa still to post a first-innings total.

Australia lead the series after Durban

Australia were a bowler short for the day. Josh Hazlewood was unwell and did not take the field, and Beau Webster was added to the pace attack in his place. Hazlewood is expected to be available on Tuesday.

Australia lead the three-Test series 1-0 after winning at Kingsmead, Durban, by 214 runs, a match in which Renshaw made 190 and 82 and Hazlewood took 6-49.

The third Test follows the Gqeberha fixture, leaving South Africa with little room in which to level the series.

Scorecard: South Africa 97 for 5 from 43 overs (Bavuma 41*, Rickelton 31; Boland 4-31, Starc 1-27) v Australia, second Test, St George's Park — stumps, day two.

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