The weather forecast had revealed that rain would be a factor on day one, a bit of information that saw the Proteas and Sri Lanka brains-trusts lean to fast-bowler-heavy playing XIs.

Bavuma has only scored 28 runs and so much more needs to be done by him and what remains of a Proteas batting order, which features Keshav Maharaj at No 11. Conditions are forecast to get easier, and there’ll even be sunshine, say the experts. Bavuma will hope that it will shine on him.

Temba Bavuma returns from injury to lead South Africa in their Test series against Sri Lanka. His comeback boosts a squad also welcoming the return of fast bowlers Marco Jansen and Gerald Coetzee. South Africa aims to climb the ICC World Test Championship standings.

Bavuma was excited to be back in the squad after a long time of recovery. "I feel quite fresh and excited as well to have the opportunity to be batting, to be putting on my pads, to be running on the field," he said. The skipper also opened up about his battles with "mental demons" during his elbow injury.

Regular captain Temba Bavuma has recovered from injury and will lead the Proteas in a two-Test series against Sri Lanka starting in Durban next week. Bavuma, who missed the national team’s recent 2-0 victory over Bangladesh due to a left elbow injury, was included in a 14-man squad announced on Tuesday by Test coach Shukri Conrad to face Sri Lanka.

The home team’s captain, Temba Bavuma, who survived two chances, was 28 not out when rain brought a premature ending to the morning session after Sri Lanka put the Proteas in to bat. Kyle Verreynne, who’d come into this Test on the back of making three consecutive ducks was on nine.

Proteas captain Temba Bavuma and wicket-keeper batsman Kyle Verreynne were still the crease when the teams left the field for an early lunch.

South Africa have gone with a four-prong pace attack in their opening Test match of the home summer against Sri Lanka.