Dean Elgar and Faf du Plessis shared a century partnership after South Africa lost two early wickets on the first day of the second Test against Australia at St George's Park today.
South Africa were 145 for three at tea in Port Elizabeth after losing captain Graeme Smith and Hashim Amla inside the first six overs.
Elgar (61 not out) and Du Plessis (55) put on 112 for the third wicket - only the second century stand against Australia since the start of their 5-0 Ashes sweep against England earlier in the summer.
The left-handed Elgar, opening the batting in place of the ill Alviro Petersen, saw Smith and Amla depart before he opened his score off the 20th ball he faced.
But he never lost his composure and handled the pace of first-Test destroyer Mitchell Johnson with courage and skill, albeit in conditions more batsman-friendly than in the first Test at Centurion.
Elgar had faced 146 balls by tea, hitting six fours and two sixes, with both sixes against off-spinner Nathan Lyon
Ryan Harris made the first breakthrough when Smith played across the line and was leg before wicket for nine.
Johnson followed up with his 50th Test wicket in seven matches since the start of the Ashes series against England when Amla was beaten for pace and trapped leg before with a full-pitched delivery.
Elgar and Du Plessis steadied the innings with solid but cautious batting as South Africa reached 64 for two at lunch.
They picked up the pace after lunch, adding 59 in an hour before Du Plessis was out off the first ball of the afternoon drinks break, turning a ball from off-spinner Nathan Lyon straight into the hands of Steve Smith at short leg.
