Half-centuries by brothers Jordan and Rubin Hermann as well as Zubayr Hamza helped South Africa A (SA 'A') to a sound start of their tour of India after they reached stumps against the hosts on 299-9 at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru on Thursday.
Opener Jordan top-scored with 71 (140 balls, 8 fours) and shared in an excellent century stand with Hamza, who made 66 (109 balls, 9 fours, six).
After a flurry of wickets, Rubin then hit 54 (87 balls, 6 fours), before Tiaan van Vuuren (46) also contributed some important lower-order runs to lift the tourists towards a challenging first-innings total.
This after they had lost the toss and were put in to bat at the start of the first of a two-match four-day series.
Lesego Senokwane opened the batting alongside Jordan but was out for a seven-ball duck, bringing Hamza in early.
The latter played a key hand in forging a second-wicket stand that lasted more than 30 overs and yielded a fine 132 alongside the excellent Jordan.
Captain Marques Ackerman managed 18, before falling during a key spell sent down by bowler Tanush Kotian, who collected four wickets in all for 83 runs.
The South Africans were coping excellently at one stage when their skipper was in and they reached 170-2, but Kotian’s strikes saw them fall to 197-5.
Rubin, though, helped steady the ship. He put on 72 with Van Vuuren, before also succumbing to off-break bowler Kotian.
Lutho Sipamla (6) fell to what turned out to be the final ball of the day with honours appearing even after day one.
SOUTH AFRICA 'A' FOUR-DAY SQUAD AGAINST INDIA 'A'
Marques Ackerman (captain, Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Temba Bavuma (DP World Lions)*, Okuhle Cele (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Zubayr Hamza (DP World Lions), Jordan Hermann (Warriors), Rubin Hermann (North West Dragons), Rivaldo Moonsamy (Momentum Multiply Titans), Tshepo Moreki (World Sports Betting Western Province), Mihlali Mpongwana (World Sports Betting Western Province), Lesego Senokwane (Momentum Multiply Titans), Prenelan Subrayen (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Kyle Simmonds (World Sports Betting Western Province), Tsepo Ndwandwa (Momentum Multiply Titans), Jason Smith (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Tiaan van Vuuren (Knights), and Codi Yusuf (DP World Lions).
*Second match only
Management - Four-Day Series
Malibongwe Maketa (Head Coach), Riaan Osman (Manager), Richard das Neves (Batting Coach), Rowan Richards (Bowling Coach), Jimmy Kgamadi (Fielding Coach), Phumelele Skosana (Team Doctor), Tumi Masekela (Strength and Conditioning Coach), Brent Martin (Physiotherapist) and Abram Ndhlovu (Team Analyst).
FIXTURES
Four-Day Series
30 October - 02 November
India A v South Africa A - BCCI Centre of Excellence, Bengaluru
6 - 9 October
India A v South Africa A - BCCI Centre of Excellence, Bengaluru
