Boland leading Australia attack as South Africa down to 97-5 after second rain-affected day

GQEBERHA, South Africa (AP) — Scott Boland grabbed two more wickets for Australia and South Africa captain Temba Bavuma survived a second tricky day in the second cricket test at St. George's Park on Monday.

By the end of day two, South Africa was 97-5, Bavuma was defiantly holding up one end with an unbeaten 41 from 108 balls, and Boland was running through the other end with 4-31 from 14 overs.

Rain then a soggy outfield wiped out the first two sessions — the teams delayed their arrival to the ground — but sunshine helped to restart play and a gritty 30.4 overs came about.

Bavuma and debutant Marques Ackerman resumed in the middle with South Africa 20-2 in 12.2 overs overnight and Ackerman was gone in the day's third over, nicking Boland behind on 6.

Mitchell Starc removed Matthew Breetzke — also caught behind — for 4 to reduce the Proteas 40-4.

Beau Webster joined Australia's all-pace attack to help cover for Josh Hazlewood, who was ill and didn't field all day. But Hazlewood is expected to be fit to play on Tuesday.

Bavuma and Ryan Rickelton stemmed Australia's charge for 14 overs, combining for 52 runs.

Bavuma's defense and patience were immaculate. He hooked Pat Cummins for the only six so far.

Rickelton opened the innings in the first test and moved to the middle order for this match. He edged a chest-high ball to leg-side fielder Marnus Labuschagne on 26 off Cummins and was dropped.

But Labuschagne's blushes were spared moments later when, on 31, Rickelton was out to a low, one-handed catch by Matt Renshaw at slip. Rickelton rocked his head back after scoring 31 from 51 balls, including five boundaries.

Bavuma fought on with Wiaan Mulder (2) to stumps with better weather forecast for the remaining three days.

See AP’s full cricket coverage here

South Africa's captain Temba Bavuma plays a shot on day two of the second cricket test match between South Africa and Australia, in Gqeberha, South Africa, Monday, Oct. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

Australia's Scott Boland, left, celebrates the wicket of South Africa's Marques Ackerman on day two of the second cricket test match between South Africa and Australia, in Gqeberha, South Africa, Monday, Oct. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

Australia's Scott Boland celebrates the wicket of South Africa's Ryan Rickelton on day two of the second cricket test match between South Africa and Australia, in Gqeberha, South Africa, Monday, Oct. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

Australia's Scott Boland, left, bowls as South Africa's captain Temba Bavuma, looks on on day two of the second cricket test match between South Africa and Australia, in Gqeberha, South Africa, Monday, Oct. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — The same day the New England Patriots got one of their top wide receivers back, they lost another one for at least a month.

Romeo Doubs was placed on injured reserve Monday with a shoulder injury he sustained following his first-quarter touchdown catch in Sunday's 26-19 win win over the New York Jets. He now must be sidelined a minimum of four games.

On the play he was injured, Doubs came open in the end zone and flashed his hand up to get the attention of quarterback Drake Maye. Maye threw it toward the pylon and Doubs made a diving catch. He was attended to by trainers before eventually being helped off the field and didn't return.

Maye said after the game that he fears his placement of the pass caused Doubs to have to lay out for the ball.

“I could’ve put it more on him and not have him dive, and then he goes down,” Maye said. “Those are things that I care about that I’m mad at, but it’s football.”

Doubs has 14 catches, a team-high 261 receiving yards and is tied with DeMario Douglas for the team lead with three touchdown receptions.

The Patriots signed Doubs to a four-year, $70 million deal in free agency this past offseason.

See AP’s full NFL coverage here

New England Patriots wide receiver Romeo Doubs, center, on ground, is tended to after a possible injury during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

New England Patriots wide receiver Romeo Doubs, on ground, celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)