South Africa took lead as Ryan Rickelton made 259, the joint seventh-highest Test score, at Newlands against Pakistan.
His innings took South Africa to 566 for seven at tea on day two of the second Test. Rickelton hit 29 fours and three sixes during his 343-ball stay, dominating the contest.
Due to Tony de Zorzi’s injury, Rickelton was promoted to opener and formed important partnerships with Temba Bavuma and Kyle Verreynne, adding 235 runs with Bavuma (106 runs) and 148 with Verreynne (100 runs).
Rickelton was eventually dismissed after trying a tired swipe off Mir Hamza, which was caught by Mohammad Abbas.
Marco Jansen was unbeaten at 57 off 48 deliveries, while Keshav Maharaj remained in the crease at two.
At 176 in the morning, Rickelton returned to the field with a sense of assurance, coming face-to-face with Pakistan’s second new ball.
He did start cautiously after the early few deliveries but Verreynne went on his way and batted for a fourth century while playing Test cricket, off 144 balls.
Spinner Salman Agha hit five sixes before being caught by Aamer Jamal on the boundary while making 3-129.
David Bedingham fell to the fifth victim of Abbas in the innings, being dismissed for five off him.
On the first day, Pakistan’s opener Saim Ayub broke his ankle and will be out of action for six weeks.
Pakistan will bat with just nine wickets per innings due to Ayub’s injury.
South Africa has already ensured a place in the June World Test Championship final at Lord’s.
After barely winning the opening Test in Pretoria, they are now aiming for a 2-0 series win. With this performance, South Africa takes the lead over the struggling tourists.
