Dean Elgar’s 129, on day one of the second Test against Sri Lanka at Newlands, has earned our Play of the Day.

Among a struggling top order, which saw SA lose three wickets for 69, including two ducks, in the first session, Elgar remained unmoved. The left-hander pulled the Proteas out their slump, supported by his captain Faf du Plessis.

The Du Plessis-Elgar combination steadied the ship until Du Plessis lost his wicket on 38 in the 52nd over, putting an end to their 75-run stint. Temba Bavuma was the next one to fall in the 61st over on 10, leaving Elgar as the lone wolf in need of some help in the middle.

Quinton de Kock watched as the 29-year-old hunted down his sixth century, and complemented the centurion as he reached a milestone of his own.

The 24-year-old picked up a half-century and marched past 1 000 runs as the pair entertained the crowd with beautiful strokeplay in the last 20 overs of the day.

Elgar continued to light up Newlands, bringing up his highest score and the 100-run partnership with a beautiful straight drive for four.

Unfortunately, Elgar could not see the end of play as he nicked a ball by Suranga Lakmal into the hands of Kusal Mendis for a well-deserved 129 off 231 balls, setting a sturdy foundation for the free-flowing De Kock (68 not out) on day two.

Elgar’s sixth century:

Photo: Carl Fourie/Gallo Images