Rilee Rossouw and Temba Bavuma continued the previous day’s damaging form, sharing a 343-run partnership for the third wicket to give South Africa A a strong foundation on which to build a healthy lead on day three of the first unofficial Test against Australia A in Townsville on Saturday.

The pair now share the highest partnership for any wicket by a South African representative team in Australia, breaking Eddie Barlow and Graeme Pollock’s 341-run, third-wicket stand against Australia in the fourth Test in Adelaide back in 1963-64.

Rossouw converted his 162 not out at stumps on day two to an outstanding 231 off 311 balls, while Temba Bavuma finished with an exceptional 162 off 280 before his dismissal at the hands of Gurinder Sandhu (4-77).

Farhaan Behardien was the only other batsman who scored a half-century during the South African innings, scoring his 70 runs off 122 balls.

The visitors declared on 532-8, with Australia A reaching 113-2 at stumps, trailing by 180 runs. Tom Cooper and Callum Ferguson were 42 and 27 not out respectively after Simon Harmer (2-42) took the wickets of Phillip Hughes (12) and Marcus Stoinis (29).

Report provided by CSA.

Photo: Simon Harmer on Instagram