Tony de Zorzi, South Africa's opening batter, was dismissed for 78 before lunch but watched from the balcony of the change-room with a copy of Aldous Huxley's Brave New World. Despite the novel's dystopian themes, the match in Trinidad unfolded as expected, traditional, attritional Test cricket.
South Africa’s innings saw several batters get starts, with de Zorzi and captain Temba Bavuma scoring half-centuries. However, there were no centuries, and the team posted 271 for 6. West Indies' bowlers were disciplined, with left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie being the only one to concede more than 3.5 runs per over. Despite their efforts, they struggled to consistently trouble the batters on a slow, dry pitch.
De Zorzi reached his second Test fifty and appeared set for a hundred before being dismissed with a reverse sweep. Bavuma, returning to Test cricket after a long absence, also reached fifty but fell just short of a century due to a full toss from Jayden Seales.
South Africa's middle and lower order, led by David Bedingham and Kyle Verreynne, added valuable runs. Verreynne faced a beamer from Seales but continued to bat until being dismissed by Jomel Warrican. Bavuma was also out to Seales, just shy of a century.
Despite a late flurry from Warrican and West Indies’ efforts to dismiss South Africa’s lower order, Wiaan Mulder and Kagiso Rabada ensured the team reached a competitive total. They will look to extend their lead on the third day.