Dean Elgar and AB de Villiers played some lovely shots as South Africa upped their run-rate against Australia and reached 185-2 by tea on day one of the third Test at Newlands.
South Africa scored 110 runs in the second session, having been 75-1 at lunch.
READ MORE: Patient start by Elgar, Amla
For much of the week, talk from the Australia camp was about bowling smarter to nullify the threat of De Villiers, but it looked as though they had not taken any lessons from Port Elizabeth as the Proteas star continued where he left off.
After losing Hashim Amla (31) early in the second session, De Villiers was well supported by opener Elgar as the two put on a quick 50-run partnership for the third wicket. At tea, their stand stood at 93.
With De Villiers at the other side, Elgar played with more freedom than he did before lunch as he reached both his 12th half century and 3000th Test run as the home side’s run rate moved from just under three runs an over to almost three-and-a-half in a big turnaround.
Elgar was given a massive lifeline when he was dropped by Nathan Lyon when he was on 53. De Villiers was also at his best, and scoring just under a run a ball as he looked to keep his run of good form in the series going.
Towards the end of the session, Elgar nearly threw his wicket away when he found a thick outside edge, but fortunately for him, it was just out of reach of the diving Aussie captain Steve Smith at second slip.
Earlier in the session, Australia made an early breakthrough when Josh Hazlewood picked up the wicket of Amla for the second time in the series, and seventh time in his career when he tempted the Proteas veteran to pull a short ball, which was caught by Pat Cummins at fine leg.
Amla and Elgar had scored 86 runs for the second wicket.
South Africa 185-2 (1st innings): Dean Elgar 91*, AB de Villiers 46*, Josh Hazlewood 2-23
Photo: Lee Warren/Gallo Images
