Twitter Reactions: South Africa in a dominant position after Day 2

Resuming from their overnight score of 288/3, JP Duminy got out for a brilliant innings of 88 runs, missing out on a well-deserved century. However, there was another person who rose to the occasion with the bat in the form of the captain Faf du Plessis.

Du Plessis went on to score his fourth Test century and his first in the last 20 months. In a superbly constructed innings, he made a scintillating 112 runs and stayed not out. While South Africa kept losing wickets at the other end, Van Zyl managed to hang in there for some time.

Kiwi speedster Neil Wagner who has been on a rampant form sent back the tailenders to the hut as he ended up taking a five-wicket haul. Dale Steyn who came in at no.6 did provide a few fireworks before a confident SA team declared at 481/8.

The Kiwi openers didn’t have an ideal start as they lost both Martin Guptill and Tom Latham in a span of 7 balls. While Latham’s dismissal seemed controversial, Dale Steyn who was in midst of a fiery spell made it look difficult for the Kiwi batsmen.

How did the game pan out? – SA v NZ 2nd Test, Day 2 Review – South Africa outplay New Zealand in all departments

Ross Taylor who was enjoying a great run with the bat was run out by Bavuma as he tried to sneak a single. This left the Kiwis reeling at 26/3. Kane Williamson made sure the visitors didn’t lose another wicket as he stayed not out at 15 with Nicholls at the other end.

With another day completely belonging to South Africa, it would be interesting to see what ploy will New Zealand batsmen try to come up with. On the other hand, the hosts would be looking to wrap up the Kiwi innings quickly and enforce a follow-on, building up for an exciting Day 3.

Twitter had their own views on the Test action going on at Centurion. While Du Plessis was lauded for a classy knock, he was also criticised for being slow. But at the end of the day, it was Steyn who took the cake with a magnificent spell of bowling. Here are some of the Twitter reactions during Day 2 at Centurion:

Also read – South Africa v New Zealand, 2nd Test – 5 Talking Points

If someone can 'save' NZ from here, its gotto be Williamson! #SAvNZ

— Spidey #408 (@Pranay_Kohli) August 28, 2016

SA continue to boss the game, NZ 38/3 after SA declared on 481/8 #SAvNZ

— Nikhil ? (@CricCrazyNIKS) August 28, 2016

Of all the live Cricket on now, Dale Steyn's fierce spell has got me hooked to the Centurion Test. #SAvNZ

— Satyajeet Jadhav (@satya_j20) August 28, 2016

When India is playing a T20 against West Indies but you can't afford to miss Dale Steyn's spell #IndvWI #SAvNZ pic.twitter.com/1Zn3rgoeA6

— Shubh AggarWall (@shubh_chintak) August 28, 2016

I will never stop supporting the Blackcaps but the stress and frustration that comes with it… Not cool man #SAvNZ

— | P A I G E ❄️?? | (@Cosmo_13_) August 28, 2016

Taylor tries to steal a run, Bavuma steals his wicket #SAvNZ

— Mayank Verma (@vmayank87) August 28, 2016

Most runs between dismissals in Tests for NZ:

374 – Kane Williamson, 2015
367 – ROSS TAYLOR, 2016
362 – Ross Taylor, 2013#SAvNZ

— Sampath Bandarupalli (@SampathStats) August 28, 2016

I don't believe Latham should've been given out. Was there enough evidence to overturn the decision? #SAvNZ

— Sambit Bal (@sambitbal) August 28, 2016

https://twitter.com/taimoorza1/status/769896575065853954

Captain Faf du Pleases ends on 112* as South Africa declare on 481/8. See how the Proteas do in the field now LIVE on SS2. #SAvNZ

— SuperSport (@SuperSportTV) August 28, 2016

SA declare 481/8. Du Plessis 112*. There are 22 overs left in the day. #SAvNZ

— stuart hess (@shockerhess) August 28, 2016

This pitch is getting weird. Surely Draw can't happen. #SAvNZ

— Clever Punt ? (@clever_punt) August 28, 2016

After a wait of 20 months, @faf1307 finally gets a test 100. #SAvNZ

— Cricket Theory (@crickettheory) August 28, 2016

Gutsy knock by Du Plessis, though the century doesnt justify overtly defensive tactics #SAvNZ

— Vinay RKM (@vinzalwayz) August 28, 2016

Faf might be dropped once AB is back, despite his 5th test century. Transformational guidelines mean SA can field only 5 whites! #SAvsNZ

— Srini Mama ? (@SriniMama16) August 28, 2016

Solid batting by us but credit to NZ for keeping the run rate down #SAvNZ

— Roelf Conradie (@RoelfConradie) August 28, 2016

Excellent ton by captain @faf1307 ! Great knock. Well done mate! #SAvsNZ

— Michael Mpofu (@MichaelMpofu) August 28, 2016

More on Neil Warner, he was born in South Africa and now has taken a 5 wicket haul v SAF. WOW! #SAVNZ #CRICKET

— Talha Hameed Qazi (@iJilawatan) August 28, 2016

Wagner continues to impress, even in the presence of Boult & Southee #SAvNZ

— Vinay RKM (@vinzalwayz) August 28, 2016

And now Faf du Plessis has got what we wanted too. Worked hard to get this hundred and it means a lot. Big celebration. Well batted. #SAvNZ

— Firdose Moonda (@FirdoseM) August 28, 2016

Have to say Wagner is going past Boult & Southee as NZs key bowler… #savnz

— Innocent Bystander (@InnoBystander) August 28, 2016

#SAvNZ faf batting as though it is 140/6. Rather negative cricket from the captain.

— Keraan (@KeraanC) August 28, 2016

"Just hit the goddam ball faf" what everyone is thinking right now #SAvNZ #Proteas

— Rogue (@Sport_Dimension) August 28, 2016

Faf should free his arms and score runs quickly after getting his hundred. Then set our wolves on the NZ top order #SAvNZ

— Yoshimitsu (@Episode88) August 28, 2016