South Africa resumed their first innings on 17/0 on Monday, needing to build partnerships and convert starts into substantial scores. While several South African batters got promising starts, none managed to convert them into big scores—a stark contrast to England's innings, anchored by Nat Sciver-Brunt and Maia Bouchier.

South Africa found themselves on the back foot early on day two when Anneke Bosch was caught behind by Amy Jones off the bowling of Lauren Bell with the third ball of the second over of the day.

Youngster Annerie Dercksen joined captain Laura Wolvaardt at the crease, and the pair forged a solid 92-run partnership for the second wicket. Dercksen, however, faced a barrage of short and quick deliveries from Lauren Filer and eventually fell for 41 in the over before lunch, with South Africa on 113.

Marizanne Kapp. Photo: Morgan Piek

After the interval, Wolvaardt controversially lost her wicket to an LBW decision that would have been overturned if the Decision Review System (DRS) had been available. She contributed a well-played 65 runs to the total.

Suné Luus and Marizanne Kapp then added 99 runs together for the fourth wicket before Kapp was dismissed for 57 – a fine knock that applied pressure on England’s bowlers. Luus followed shortly after, caught behind for 56 with the score on 259. Despite Chloe Tryon’s contribution of 20 runs, a lower-order collapse saw South Africa bowled out for 281 in 88.4 overs.

Lauren Bell was the standout bowler for England, delivering a career-best performance with figures of 4/49 in 13 overs, including being on a hat-trick at one stage. Debutant Ryana MacDonald-Gay impressed with 2/50 from 15 overs, while the fiery Lauren Filer took 2/53 in her 17 overs.

Lauren Bell. Photo: Morgan Piek

In their reply, England reached 31/1 in 14 overs before stumps were called. First-innings centurion Maia Bouchier recorded her first duck in Test cricket, caught behind by Sinalo Jafta off Ayanda Hlubi in the sixth over with the score on 3.

Following the day's play Kapp said they are certainly not out of the fight, but they will need a big day with the ball on day three.

“Probably England a little bit, I feel like there was a bit of collapse there in the last hour of our batting innings.”  

Chloe Tryon ducking to a short-pitched bullet by Lauren Filer. Photo: Morgan Piek

“We're very disappointed with that, but I'm really happy with the way we started with the ball in those last 14 overs of the day's play.

“We know they'll probably come hard at us on Tuesday, but I mean, we've been in this situation in India, which was a lot tougher conditions. So we know we have the batters that can bat time if need be – if they post a big score. We’ll just have to rock up on Tuesday and see how they go.”

Day three will resume at 10:00 on Tuesday with England captain Heather Knight 19* and Tammy Beaumont 8* at the crease.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek dg