The Boxing Day Test between South Africa and England saw Joe Root winning the toss and electing to field at the SuperSport Park in Centurion. The visitors went in with an all seam bowling attack, while Proteas gave two players their Test debuts.

Rassie van der Dussen and Dwaine Pretorius were handed their Test caps, while James Anderson became the first pacer to appear in 150 Tests. And he celebrated the event by removing Dean Elgar on the first ball of the match. Aiden Markram (20), Zubayr Hamza (39) and Faf du Plessis (29) stitched some partnerships but couldn’t go on to make a huge score.

However, Quinton de Kock (95 with 14 fours), along with Pretorius (33) and Philander (28*) took South Africa towards their day ending score of 277/9. For England, it was Sam Curran (4/57) and Stuart Broad (3/52) were the pick of bowlers.

BRIEF SCORES:
SA 277/9 (Q DE KOCK 95, Z HAMZA 39; S CURRAN 4/57)
Day 1: England won the toss and elected to field