South Africa crawled through to stumps as Australia toiled away in the field for three long sessions on day two.
The home side lost just one wicket (nightwatchman Kagiso Rabada) in the first two sessions as Hashim Amla and Dean Elgar poked the ball around at under two runs an over before tea.
Rabada’s disciplinary hearing following his heated send-off to Steve Smith on day one will take place late on Sunday after the third day’s play with predictions of a series ban hanging over the 22-year-old’s head.
Australia snagged late wickets in the evening session to have the Proteas at 7/263 and 20 runs ahead at the close of the day’s play with AB de Villiers (74*) and Vernon Philander (14*) at the crease.
Here were the major talking points from day two.
SOUTH AFRICA ISSUES APOLOGY
Everyone hoping for the David Warner-Quinton de Kock saga to be left in Durban woke to a rude awakening on day two of the second Test after two South African cricket officials were photographed smiling next to fans wearing Sonny Bill Williams face masks.
The masks were worn to taunt Warner whose wife Candace reportedly had an encounter with the All Blacks star in 2007 before meeting Warner.
The Australian team were reportedly furious at the masks, which were promoted by users on social media, to be let into the ground.
The two officials, former Test star Clive Eksteen and communications manager Altaaf Kazi were scolded for their involvement in the charade which prompted a hasty apology from Cricket South Africa.
The statement said CSA had taken “immediate precautionary steps” against the officials and that there would be an internal disciplinary process.
CSA president Chris Nenzani apologised to the board of Cricket Australia and its officials, team management, players and their families.
The statement urged South African supporters to refrain from “being involved in distasteful or unwelcome actions that may impact the image of the sport and its supporters.”
CROWD TURNS: ‘WE WANT THE BAND’
The polarising Port Elizabeth band was finally given the heave-ho in the middle session after umpires called for a halt to the music. The band’s cheery brass tunes go hand-in-hand with the seaside venue, often to a mixed reception from fans.
The group of musicians marched out of the venue after being ordered into silence, prompting the crowd to begin chanting “we want the band!”.
The band returned after the tea break and resumed playing in protest as officials complained of being unable to hear edges over the music.
The on-field umpires met with match referee Jeff Crowe midway through the final session to briefly halt play as the music and chanting got louder and louder.
Former South African wicketkeeper Mark Boucher slammed the “ridiculous” farce, comparing the noise to India’s Eden Gardens stadium.
LYON STUNNER SILENCES DE KOCK
Nathan Lyon produced arguably one of the best off-breaks you’ll see in international cricket late on day two, dismissing South African wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock for nine as he began to build a dangerous partnership with AB de Villiers.
The Aussie tweaker found some purchase off the second day deck as he drew de Kock forward into a tentative prod. The perfectly-flighted delivery dropped just short of the South African star’s bat and whizzed past him to collect his off stump.
— with AAP
