By SABC Sport
9th December 2022
Proteas captain Dean Elgar hit a century on the first day of a warm-up clash against a Cricket Australia XI in Brisbane as they gear up for the Test series.
In what is the tourists' only game time before the three-match Test series Down Under, Elgar struck 109 as the Proteas went to stumps on 335-7.
There was also an attacking unbeaten half-century from wicketkeeper-batter Kyle Verreynne, who struck a free-flowing 76 off 86 balls.
There were starts from several other batters, with 25 coming from the bat of opener Sarel Erwee, 27 by the fit again Rassie van der Dussen and 34 through Keshav Maharaj â- the tourists ensuring they enjoyed a productive opening to the Test tour at The Allan Border Field in Queensland.
The match is not classified as a first-class game allowing for the Proteas management to give everyone in the squad a chance to play.
Khaya Zondo (18), Theunis de Bruyn (13), Simon Harmer (5) and Kagiso Rabada (2*) were amongst the others to bat on day one.
Vice-captain Temba Bavuma, however, did not bat as a precaution due to discomfort felt in his left elbow.
The Proteas' limited-overs captain though is expected to bat in the second innings of the four-day encounter.
The first Test of the series against Australia is scheduled to take place at The Gabba from 17 December.