South Africa Dominates Day 1 in Cape Town with Centuries from Rickelton and Bavuma

South Africa maintained their dominance in the third session, with Temba Bavuma and Ryan Rickelton continuing to pile on the runs. The duo expertly countered everything the Pakistan bowlers threw at them, guiding South Africa past the 300-run mark.

Bavuma reached his fourth Test century, and together with Rickelton, the pair built an impressive 235-run partnership. However, shortly after crossing 300, Pakistan found a breakthrough when Bavuma edged a delivery from Salman Agha, and wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan made no mistake in completing the catch.

Ryan Rickelton continued his stellar innings, remaining unbeaten on 176*, as South Africa closed Day 1 in Cape Town at 316/4.

After a challenging first session against Pakistan's bowlers, South Africa fought back in the second session, thanks to resilient performances from opener Ryan Rickelton and skipper Temba Bavuma.

Rickelton continued his aggressive approach, reaching his second Test century, while Bavuma continued his impressive form with the bat, registering yet another half-century.

The duo forged an unbeaten partnership of 112 runs, shifting the pressure back onto Pakistan. Rickelton and Bavuma ensured South Africa went wicketless in the second session, finishing at 184-3.

After an early flourish from the hosts, Pakistan gained some late momentum in the opening session of the second Test against South Africa in Cape Town.

With the Proteas openers looking in good touch from the onset, Shahzad broke the deadlock with a length ball that shaped away from Aiden Markram, inducing a nick on its way to Mohammad Rizwan. Pakistan's go-to-bowler from the Centurion Test, Mohammad Abbas then removed Wiaan Mulder in similar fashion.

On the last ball before Lunch Break, spinner Salman Agha made it three for the visitors, removing Tristan Stubbs for a duck.

Earlier, South Africa openers Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton had looked comfortable against the new ball attack. The duo seized control with a flurry of early boundaries against the Pakistan new-ball bowlers, taking the score past the 50-run mark.

The visitors were dealt a major blow as Saim Ayub was taken off the field on a golf cart after sustaining an ankle injury during an effort to keep the ball inside the boundary ropes.

The hosts - leading 1-0 in the two Test-series - won the toss and elected to bat first. South Africa had gained the lead after a thrilling win in Centurion that saw tailenders Marco Jansen and Kagiso Rabada hold their nerves with the bat.

The win not only helped Temba Bavuma and Co go 1-0 up but also sealed their spot in this year's ICC World Test Championship Final.

South Africa currently sit at the top of the nine-team points table, with seven wins from 11 Test outings in the 2023/25 cycle.

Playing XI

The hosts made three changes to their lineup from the one that featured in the first Test. Most notably, ICC U19 World Cup sensation Kwena Maphaka makes his red-ball debut.

Pakistan on the other hand, have gone with four seamers with Mir Hamza slotting in for Naseem Shah, who has been rested.

WATCH: The unstoppable Kwena Maphaka | U19 World Cup wicket compilation

South Africa: Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Wiaan Mulder, Tristan Stubbs, Temba Bavuma (c), David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Kwena Maphaka

Pakistan: Shan Masood (c), Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Agha, Aamer Jamal, Mir Hamza, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas