The Proteas went into first game of the two-match series with and all-pace attack after Nandre Burger was given a debut alongside Marco Jansen, Gerald Coetzee and Rabada.

The inexperience of the bowlers alongside Rabada certainly showed as India reached 208-8 in 59 overs before stumps were drawn early due to bad light and then rain.

Having not bowled a competitive ball since the Proteas' semifinal loss at the World Cup more than a month ago, Rabada was a cut above the rest of his teammates and had the tourists rattled with figures of 5-44 in 17 overs.

After Proteas captain Temba Bavuma had won the toss and opted to bowl, the home side's talisman started the rot for the tourists with wicket of skipper Rohit Sharma (5) with the score on 13.

Burger was then introduced into the attack after a wayward opening spell from Jansen and the left-arm quick made his mark accounting for Yashasvi Jaiswal (17) and Shubman Gill (2).

Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer then weathered the initial storm with a partnership of 68 as India went to lunch break on 91-3.

Rabada then showed all his class immediately after the interval as he first bowled Iyer (31) and produced a magnificent away swinger to Kohli (38) that the batter could only nick behind.

The Proteas paceman was not finished and dismissed Ravi Ashwin (8), caught at third slip, before completing his 14th five-wicket haul in Test cricket after getting rid of Shardul Thakur, who stuck around for an important 24.

All the while Rahul was going about his work at the other end, mixing good technical defence with attacking shots that saw him yield 10 fours and two sixes as India's number six remained unbeaten on 70 from 105 deliveries.

There is a concern for the hosts after Bavuma hobbled off the ground in the first session with a hamstring strain and his participation for the rest of the match and the next Test at Newlands will be in doubt.

Besides Burger, the Proteas also gave a Test debut to middle-order batter David Bedingham.

READ MORE: Temba Bavuma: Proteas Test side still in building phase

RICARDO-DUARTEE

Blitzboks overcome Japan for first win in London

Editors Pick