Temba Bavuma was cruelly denied his second career hundred, being left stranded on 95 when South Africa were bowled out for 488 on day two at the Wanderers.
He had worked so hard for his runs, after starting the day on 25; first of all anchoring his end when Quinton de Kock was free flowing in a stand of 85; and then taking the senior role, despite Keshav Maharaj’s cavalier innings of 45 off 51 balls.
They put on 76 in 15 overs before Maharaj nicked a wild shot off Cummins. Morne Morkel, regrettably for Bavuma, guided the next ball to slip, leaving the diminutive fighter with his second-best score in Tests, behind his century against England in January 2016. Early tea was then taken.
De Kock, on seven overnight, was oozing confidence when on 39, he was surprised by extra bounce from Nathan Lyon and top-edged to mid-on. Vernon Philander followed shortly after as he tried to smash Lyon out of the ground.
The Proteas had added 175 from their overnight score of 313-6, but they will acknowledge they are slightly fortunate to even be where they are. Pat Cummins, who ended with a well-deserved 5-83, must be feeling a little aggrieved considering the number of times he beat the bat. Lyon ended with 3-182.
That would have encouraged the Proteas pace bowlers, for the pitch was offering more than its fair share of assistance, and lifted Maharaj, given the turn Lyon extracted, into an attacking option. It was not your normal Wanderers wicket.
South Africa 488 (1st innings): Aiden Markram 152, AB de Villiers 69, Temba Bavuma 95*, Quinton de Kock 39, Pat Cummins 5-83, Nathan Lyon 3-182, Chadd Sayers 2-78.
Photo: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
