Day 2 at Kingsmead in Durban turned into a nightmare for Sri Lanka as they crumbled to their lowest-ever Test total of 42, thanks to Marco Jansen’s breathtaking 7/13. South Africa capitalized on the big first-innings lead of 149 and finished the day at 132/3, stretching their overall advantage to 281 runs.
Marco Jansen’s spell decimates Sri Lanka
In a span of just 83 balls, Sri Lanka’s batting order collapsed under relentless pressure from South Africa’s seamers. Kagiso Rabada set the tone by dismissing Dimuth Karunaratne early, and Jansen took over with an unplayable spell that exposed the visitors’ fragility against pace and movement.
Jansen removed Pathum Nissanka and Dinesh Chandimal with deliveries that seamed sharply, while Angelo Mathews and Dhananjaya de Silva fell trying to counterattack. Gerald Coetzee chipped in with two wickets as Sri Lanka folded without offering resistance.
The 42-run total highlighted Sri Lanka’s struggles on a challenging pitch, with Jansen’s spell becoming one of the best ever by a South African pacer at home.
Temba Bavuma steers South Africa to a respectable total
Earlier, South Africa resumed their innings at 85/6, having struggled against Sri Lanka’s disciplined bowling. Temba Bavuma led the recovery with a determined knock of 70, holding the innings together while wickets continued to fall at the other end.
Jansen and Keshav Maharaj offered brief partnerships, but Sri Lanka’s bowlers, particularly Prabath Jayasuriya, remained relentless. Jayasuriya’s accurate spin accounted for crucial breakthroughs, while Lahiru Kumara and Vishwa Fernando exploited the conditions effectively to share six wickets between them.
Despite losing their last four wickets for just 32 runs, South Africa’s 191 proved to be a substantial score given the pitch’s challenges.
Also READ: SA vs SL 2024: Fans in shock as Marco Jansen demolishes Sri Lanka for their lowest-ever total on Day 2 of Durban Test
Strong second innings start for the hosts
With a healthy lead, South Africa began their second innings confidently. Aiden Markram played fluently for his 47, and his partnership with Tony de Zorzi provided stability upfront. However, Sri Lanka struck back, with Jayasuriya and Fernando picking up quick wickets to keep the hosts in check.
By the close of play, Bavuma (24*) and Tristan Stubbs (14*) had steadied the ship, ensuring South Africa maintained control heading into Day 3.
Here is how fans reacted:
Jansen on song!🎵
Marco meant business, and took NO prisoners as he bull-dozed the Sri Lanka batters to get career-best Test match figures of 7/13😃😎🇿🇦
An absolute dominant display, one for the history books.📖🏏#WozaNawe #BePartOfIt #SAvSL pic.twitter.com/OWrXUKX0lO
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) November 28, 2024
So far an immense bowling performance💪let’s go
— AB de Villiers (@ABdeVilliers17) November 28, 2024
End of a dominant day 2 for the Proteas 🔥 Wild day at Kingsmead with 19 wickets falling.
SA lead by 281 with 7 wickets in hand #SAvSL pic.twitter.com/iw6guzfvKR— naeemah (@NaeemahBenjamin) November 28, 2024
So special Shorty!! pic.twitter.com/TwwgGjYKY6
— Tabraiz Shamsi (@shamsi90) November 28, 2024
Marco Jansen 7/13 🔥🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/vqAVkPPURe
— Werner (@Werries_) November 28, 2024
MARCO JANSEN PICKED 7 WICKETS IN 41 BALLS…!!! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/ll0HUllrC9
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) November 28, 2024
𝐀𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐡𝐢 𝐤𝐚𝐚𝐦 𝐬𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐮 𝐤𝐚𝐫 𝐝𝐢𝐲𝐞! 🔥
Big Jansen making a 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜 against 🇱🇰.#MarcoJansen #SAvsSL #PunjabKings pic.twitter.com/5Xu2nht6zF
— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) November 28, 2024
Marco Freaking Jansen#SAvSL pic.twitter.com/5NItfKOrtE
— Mish ✌🏽(she / her) (@Mish_Sattar) November 28, 2024
CHAMPIONS! We have a new game for the summer. It’s called MARCO JANSEN! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦 #SAvSL #Proteas pic.twitter.com/TlnDoWG1P9
— Rory Petzer (@RoryPetzer) November 28, 2024
MARCO JANSEN SHOW AT DURBAN..!!🔥
– Marco Jansen has taken 7 Wickets in Sri Lanka in 1st Innings only 13 runs and his best bowling fingers in Test Cricket History and great news of south Africa ahead of Champions Trophy 2025 pic.twitter.com/9nnXAkLy28
— विनय तिवारी (@Vinay28340958) November 28, 2024
Marco Jansen’s bowling – X-factor. When in rhythm, a very difficult bowler to face.
The angle. Bounce. The batter has to always see up, with the ball being delivered from that high release. And he gets movement.
— Bharath Ramaraj (@Fancricket12) November 28, 2024
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