Australia seized full command of the second Test match against South Africa, tearing through the hosts' batting lineup to leave them reeling at 97-5 on the second day in Gqeberha. The tourists made their presence felt emphatically, making decisive inroads into the home team's order despite the frustrating and persistent rain interruptions that curtailed the day's play.
Leading the charge for Australia was Scott Boland, who produced an outstanding bowling display to dismantle the South African resistance. Boland was responsible for four of the five wickets that fell, proving to be the decisive factor with the ball and ensuring the hosts were never allowed to settle into a comfortable rhythm at the crease.
Boland delivered another major blow late in the day by securing the crucial wicket of Ryan Rickelton. Rickelton's late departure capped off another difficult, rain-hit day of action in Gqeberha, preventing the home team from seeing out the conditions safely and severely denting their prospects of mounting a substantial first-innings total against the Australian attack.
Sitting at 97-5, South Africa enter the remainder of this second Test under immense pressure, with Australia firmly in the ascendancy. The hosts face a tough road ahead to recover from the damage inflicted by Boland's four-wicket haul, while the visitors will look to press home their advantage after dominating a shortened second day of competition.