Dale Steyn praised the Proteas’ ‘phenomenal bowling attack’ after they skittled Pakistan for 177 at Newlands on day one of the second Test.

The Proteas bowling attack has been lethal in recent times. There are not many batting lineups in the world who can confidently say that they have it covered.

The Proteas attack was phenomenal against India, Australia and Sri Lanka. Now Pakistan are facing their wrath. They were skittled for 177 in their first innings at Newlands – Olivier picked up the best figures of the innings (4-48), while Steyn (3-48), Kagiso Rabada (2-35) and Vernon Philander (1-36) were all in on the action.

Steyn praised his bowling unit and explained the key elements to making them so lethal.

‘It’s got everything,’ said Steyn about the Proteas bowling unit. ‘Its got pace. We have KG, who has great pace and is a fantastic bowler.

‘We have Vernon, who has incredible skill and is relentless – he’s going to stay there all day and test your technique and defence.

‘We have Doozle [Duanne Olivier], who is hot at the moment. You could probably give him a beach ball and he will nick someone off. He’s on it.

ALSO READ: Olivier & Steyn clean up Pakistan

‘What I bring is calmness and composure among the guys. When things get out of hand I kind of settle things, along with Faf [du Plessis] and Hash [Hashim Amla]. Al in all what a phenomenal bowling attack.

‘What more do you want? Vernon [Philander] is averaging 21, KG [Kagiso Rabada] is averaging 21 and Doozle is averaging 16. You have to argue who is better than that?’

This set up the game for the Proteas, as Aiden Markram batted solidly for his 78 before losing his wicket to Shan Masood, whose seaming delivery kept low and cut back in to rattle his stumps.

ALSO READ: Markram drives Proteas into powerful position at Newlands

Photo: Shaun Roy/Gallo Images