South Africa, once again, had to rouse themselves from a first Test loss in their World Test Championship title defence to floor Ausralia yet again in Gqeberha as they were led by their senior players.

Proteas skipper Temba Bavuma admitted having shredded nerves when he didn’t look at who took the catch to dismiss Australia’s batting lynchpin Steven Smith during their innings and 31-run win over Australia on Thursday.

The Proteas, in being able to boss proceedings in the second Test against Australia from a position of difficulty from the first Test, displayed admirable resilience. But, they’ll need plenty more to seal the deal on day five.

Proteas all-rounder Marco Jansen said if he’s able to contribute to the team in any way possible, he’s then done his job as a player, regardless of the size of his contribution.

Having batted themselves into a strong position, the Proteas now face a race against time and possibly, the weather, to bowl Australia out twice. That alone will be a herculean task at St George’s Park, which is showing signs of easing.

Proteas skipper Temba Bavuma didn’t just have a huge sense of satisfaction in terms of ticking off a Test century against a giant like Australia, but found rhythm that allowed him to navigate all the challenges thrown at him by Australia’s bowlers, which was a welcome relief.

The St George’s Park pitch hasn’t been kind to the Proteas and their batting coach Ashwell Prince hopes it retains its quixotic behaviour when it’s their turn to bowl in the second Test against Australia in Gqeberha.

Proteas batting coach Ashwell Prince praised Temba Bavuma’s judicious batting on a difficult St George’s Park surface as the captain holds out hopes for South Africa to post a competitive total in the second Test against Australia in Gqeberha.

Scott Boland’s chillingly accurate spell in kind conditions served to remind South Africa of the challenge that lies ahead of them to save the series on a first day of a second Test that was badly affected by rain.

The Proteas may be heading into Sunday’s second Test against Australia at St George’s Park in Gqeberha on the backfoot after comprehensively losing the first Test, but they’ll at least have Kagiso Rabada to call on to bolster their bowling attack.