South African opener Ryan Rickelton and captain Temba Bavuma shone on the first day of the second and final Test against Pakistan at Newlands, with both scoring centuries in a commanding display.
The duo shared an unbeaten 235-run partnership, the highest fourth-wicket stand by a South African pair against Pakistan and at Newlands, propelling the team to 316 for four at stumps on Friday.
Their partnership stabilized the innings after a precarious morning session in which South Africa lost three wickets for just 11 runs.
Earlier, Rickelton and Aiden Markram provided a steady start, adding 61 runs for the first wicket before Markram was caught behind by Mohammad Rizwan off Khurram Shahzad for 17, attempting a drive.
Promoted to number three, Wiaan Mulder, returning from injury, contributed just five runs before giving a straightforward catch to Rizwan off Mohammad Abbas. The wicketkeeper claimed his third dismissal moments before lunch when Tristan Stubbs edged spinner Salman Agha without scoring.
The pitch, reused from a match where India defeated South Africa within 107 overs a year ago, offered some early seam movement but proved favorable for batting as the day progressed. South Africa added 112 runs in the afternoon session without losing a wicket.
South Africa, already set to play in June’s World Test Championship final at Lord’s, aim to secure a 2-0 series victory after a narrow two-wicket win in the first Test in Pretoria. The home side made three changes for this match, including handing a debut to 18-year-old fast bowler Kwena Maphaka, the youngest player in the nation’s Test history, surpassing former spinner Paul Adams.
