Bangladesh strike late to peg back South Africa

Bangladesh have been rewarded for their application and persistence, taking two late wickets to prevent South Africa dominating the opening day of the second and final Test.

The hosts still went to stumps on 5-278 on Friday as they seek a 2-0 series sweep at St George's Park in Gqeberha, the city formerly called Port Elizabeth.

Three South African batters made half-centuries after the home team chose to bat first, but none of them went on to a big score.

Bangladesh then took something from the day by removing Ryan Rickelton (42) and Temba Bavuma (67) in the space of three overs just before the close.

Bavuma was the third South African to pass 50 after captain Dean Elgar provided a solid start with his 70 and No.3 Keegan Petersen made 64.

But Bangladesh found success through left-arm spinner Taijul Islam, who was called into the team following a 220-run loss in the series-opener.

Taijul claimed the crucial wickets of Elgar, Petersen and Rickelton for his 3-77.

Elgar hit 10 fours in his third half-century in three innings this series and South Africa made an imposing start by putting together four half-century stands for the first four wickets.

Bavuma and Rickelton combined for the last and best of those, a stand of 83 that looked to be taking South Africa to a position of clear dominance.

Their late dismissals, though, gave the day a different complexion as South Africa went from 3-267 to 5-278.

Rickelton was in sight of his maiden fifty in just his second Test when he tried to reverse sweep a delivery from Taijul. 

He had pulled the shot off successfully earlier in his innings but this time he missed, the ball clipped the wristband of his glove and looped to Yasir Ali at slip.

Bavuma went soon after to a low catch at first slip, giving seamer Khaled Ahmed his second wicket of the day.

It also meant the frustrating wait for a second Test century for Bavuma continues.

His 67 was his 19th half-century but he is yet to add to his one and only Test hundred, which he made six years ago. He was out for 93 in the first Test.

Bangladesh made two changes for the match, bringing back opening batsman Tamim Iqbal and giving Taijul his chance, while South Africa retained the same line-up in the absence of their IPL stars.