Temba Bavuma and Kyle Verreynne stitched together an unbeaten fifty-run stand to help South Africa end the opening day strongly against Bangladesh in the first Test at Kingsmead in Durban on Thursday.

South Africa ended on 233 for four in 76.5 overs as play stopped early due to bad light. Earlier, the match also saw a late start as sightscreen malfunction at both ends resulted in a 35-minute delay.

Bavuma and Verreynne stitched together an unbeaten 53-run stand for the fifth wicket to help South Africa recover from a slump in the middle. With Bangladesh bowlers keeping things tight, both Bavuma and Verreynne remained cautious in their approach.

Bavuma reached his 18th Test fifty as he remained unbeaten on 53 off 119 deliveries, featuring six boundaries. Verreynne, meanwhile, was not out on a 64-ball 27.

Before that, Bangladesh had gotten back into the game brilliantly in the second session with three wickets in quick session after South Africa got off to a flying start. The South Africa openers Dean Elgar and Sarel Erwee had raced to 60 off just 13 overs after Bangladesh skipper Mominul Haque opted to field first after winning the toss.

South Africa skipper Elgar led from the front as he brought up his 20th Test fifty off just 60 deliveries before Lunch. In fact, the hosts remained unscathed in the morning session.

However, the Tigers fought back brilliantly shortly after Lunch. Pacer Khaled Ahmed struck first as he had Elgar (67 off 101) caught behind before Mehedi Hasan Miraz removed Erwee (41 off 102) in the very first ball of the next over. Miraz then produced a brilliant bit of fielding, running to his right from point before collecting the ball and hitting the stumps to have Keegan Petersen run out as Bangladesh roared back in the game.

Ebadot Hossain dismissed Ryan Rickelton after Tea and the Tigers had reduced the Proteas to 180 for four before Bavuma and Verreynne got the hosts back in the game with their unbeaten stand.

Tigers bounce back in second session

Bangladesh came back in the game well and truly as they scalped three wickets in the second session after being dominated in the morning session by South Africa in their first of two Tests at the Kingsmead in Durban today.

After going through the morning session unscathed, Bangladesh reduced the Proteas to 165 for three at Tea.

The Tigers looked sharp and determined to get breakthroughs and Khaled Ahmed struck first when he had surprised South Africa skipper Dean Elgar with a delivery that generated some extra bounce off the surface before edging the right-hander's gloves back to the wicketkeeper.

Mehedi Hasan Miraz then had Sarel Erwee drag one onto his stumps in the very next over as the Proteas lost two wickets in quick succession.

However, the highlight of the entire session was the brilliant bit of fielding by Miraz that got rid of Keegan Petersen. Running to his right from point, Miraz launched a dive to stop the ball, and in just a fraction of a second threw the ball back at the keeper's end to hit the one timber he had to aim at.    

Petersen's knock could have ended sooner. He had the faintest edge back to the keeper just a while ago but despite some interest from the Bangladesh players, the Tigers opted to not review after the umpire had given not out. However, replays showed a little spark on the UltraEdge, confirming the edge. 

Tigers make inroads shortly after Lunch

Following a frustrating first session, Bangladesh were able to dismiss both South Africa openers in quick succession shortly after Lunch on Day 1 of their first of two-Test series at the Kingsmead in Durban today.

Pacer Khaled Ahmed was the first one to give the Tigers the breakthrough. After the pacer pitched it in the good length area, some extra bounce off the surface surprised the right-handed batter who looked to get his bat away but was only able to edge it back to the keeper.

Elgar, who had a brisk start, had to walk back to the pavilion following a 101-ball 67, laced with 11 boundaries.

Just after Khaled ended the 113-run opening stand, Mehedi Hasan Miraz went on to scalp the wicket of the other opener, Sarel Erwee, in the very first ball of the next over. Erwee, who was dropped by Liton off a Miraz delivery just before Lunch on 32, could not capitalise on the opportunity as he dragged a wide delivery onto his stumps.

With two wickets in space of just five deliveries and four runs, the Tigers should now look to build on the momentum to create further pressure on the Proteas.