South Africa 2-217 (Graeme Smith 111*, Alviro Petersen 54, David Warner 1-27) trails Australia 550 (Michael Clarke 230, David Warner 119, Michael Hussey 103, Morne Morkel 5-146) by 333 runs.

Graeme Smith led South Africa from the front against Australia as both captains have demonstrated their skills while taking their teams out of woods in crisis.

The first innings of Australia was rolled back for 550 runs in 107.2 overs and South Africa replied with 217 for the loss of two wickets in their first innings.

The second day’s play came to an end on Friday, November 23, 2012, at Adelaide Oval.

The hosts were unable to consolidate from their overnight score of 482 in 86.5 overs for the loss of five wickets and lost their last remaining wickets after adding just 68 runs. Their skipper Michael Clarke was unbeaten for 224 off 243 balls with 1 six and 39 rolling boundaries as Matthew Wade came out with him to bat. Clarke was clean bowled by Morne Morkel on the fourth ball of 92^nd over for 230 and Wade was gone four overs later after a hard fought six runs scored off 28 balls.

James Pattinson was the only batsman who showed some resistance by scoring 42 quick fired runs off 35 with 2 sixes and 4 fours as the entire home team was bowled out for 550 in 107.2 overs.

Morne Morkel got his first five wickets haul vs. Australia while appearing in the ninth Test against the rivals. Dale Steyn and Jacques Kallis shared two wickets each as Rory Kleinveldt claimed one wicket.

Graeme Smith and Alviro Petersen saw off the first four overs of their innings prior to lunch interval that resulted just three runs. Smith opened up with 3 fours in the sixth over and Petersen sent the ball out of fence twice in the 8^th over. The two batsmen did not take any risk and kept the score board moving with the assistance of few boundaries.

Matthew Wade missed a stumping chance off Smith on the fifth ball of the 28^th over from Clarke at 46 runs. The first hundred of the innings was scored in the 31^st over and Graeme Smith reached his fifty in the next over. Alviro Petersen attained his fifth Test half century on the first ball of the 39^th over but was unfortunately run out for 54 on the second delivery of the 42^nd over.

The openers provided a solid stand of 138 runs when the most competent batsman of South Africa, Hashim Amla replaced Petersen. Smith was given caught behind by the field umpire on the first ball of the 46^th over and the review by the third umpire took him out of danger. The skipper kept on enhancing as Amla preferred to defend but was stumped by Wade off the part time bowler, David Warner for 11 runs. Jacques Rudolph came into bat next as Graeme Smith blasted his 26^th Test century on the third ball of the 60^th over with a four.

South Africa managed 217 runs after 67 overs at stumps on day two, Graeme Smith was still there with 111 with 12 fours and Jacques Rudolph was unbeaten for 25.

South Africa is still 333 runs behind the mammoth first innings score of 550 piled up by Australia. The visitors will have to perform well on day three to come back in the game and the early wickets can put them under tremendous pressure.