Aiden Markram helped South Africa race to a strong start

Gudakesh Motie, a left-arm spinner, claimed three wickets as South Africa finished on 311 for 7, down from their impressive teatime total of 247 for two. Prior to the hosts' struggles in the second half, South Africa's strong position was largely due to Aiden Markram (96) and Tony de Zorzi (85). Markram stated, "It's not only the four runs (for the century). "I should have been expecting a pretty high score, like 160 or 170, on that pitch."

With 17 fours off 139 balls, Markram, who scored 115 in South Africa's 87-run victory in the first Test at Centurion, was in imperious form. He called it "a brain fog" after he was fired for trying to play an out-of-character scoop shot against Motie. In his second Test, Markram and De Zorzi combined for 116 points off of 164 balls. In the ensuing South African post-tea collapse, which saw five wickets go for 62 runs, De Zorzi was bowled by Motie.