Johannesburg – Graeme Smith and Hashim Amla put together an unbroken second wicket stand of 81 to take South Africa to 118 for one at tea on day two of the first Test against India at the Wanderers in Johannesburg on Thursday.
At tea, Smith was unbeaten on 62 and Amla on 30 not out.
Shortly before tea, Smith brought up his eighth half-century as India's pace attack began to tire.
It was by no means a chanceless innings from the captain as he was dropped on 19 by Ravichandran Ashwin at first slip in the 17th over when he lashed at a tempting delivery, wide outside off, from Zaheer Khan.
Smith cashed in though as he moved towards his first ever century against India.
After lunch, Alviro Petersen (21) was first to depart with the score on 37. The opener was trapped in the crease by Ishant Sharma in the 14th over.
In the morning session, India were bowled out for 280 after resuming on 255/5.
Vernon Philander finished with overall figures of 4/61 while Morne Morkel returned 3/34. – Sapa