For all latest news, follow The Financial Express Google News channel.
A brave innings from Mominul Haque and able support from Taijul Islam have saved Bangladesh from one of their lowest totals in Test history, reports bdnews24.com.
The losses of Najmul Hossain Shanto (9), Mushfiqur Rahim (0), Mehidy Hasan Miraz (1) and Mahidul Islam Ankon (0) saw the Tigers teetering at 48-8 after six overs of play on Thursday in the Chattogram Test.
The difference maker was, naturally, pacer Kagiso Rabada (5-37) who picked up three scalps to reach a five-for, while Dane Paterson (2-25) took another.
Just as Bangladesh looked on the brink of complete collapse, Taijul stood firm, scoring an unbeaten 18 runs off 67 balls.
It was the support Mominul needed to power through as he stroked the ball confidently, even in the face of a fierce Proteas attack.
By lunch, he had scored an unbeaten 74 off 97 deliveries to take the Tigers to 137-8.
Despite the valiant 89-run stand, Bangladesh remain in deep trouble, trailing the visitors by 438 runs.
Bangladesh are still hoping for redemption on home soil after a 7-wicket loss to the Proteas in the first Test in Mirpur.
The hosts have made three changes to the side that lost in Mirpur. Ankon wins his first Test cap for Bangladesh, taking over the wicket-keeping gloves from Litton Das, who was sidelined due to illness. Zakir Hasan and fast bowler Nahid Rana also joined the XI, replacing Zakir Ali, who was out due to a concussion in practice, and Nayeem Hasan.
South Africa, meanwhile, see the match as another step in their hopes of reaching the World Test Championship final.
The visitors have also made two changes for this Test match. Off-spinner Dane Piedt, who struggled in Mirpur, was replaced by Senuran Muthusamy, a left-arm spinner and competent lower middle-order batsman. Seamer Dane Paterson also came into the side in place of Matthew Breetzke.
It had already been confirmed that regular captain Temba Bavuma would miss the match due to injury.