The weather here is mirroring cricket. Even Nostradamus may struggle to predict how it would go.

The forecast had been grim going into the first Test at the SuperSport Park, after a Christmas day that saw virtually incessant rain. But after a delayed a start on Tuesday, under clouds that didn’t look too menacing, the sky turned blue, much to the delight of an excellent holiday crowd.

What followed was some absorbing cricket on day one of a much-anticipated series between South Africa and India. But late in the afternoon, the skies opened up and covers had to be brought in.

The umpires had no option but to call an early end to the day, at the end of which, India, after being put in, was 208 for eight. The score would have been a lot worse but for a superb innings by K.L. Rahul, who seems to love this beautiful venue; he had scored a brilliant hundred in 2021-22, opening the innings, which helped India score a memorable win.

The elegant batter from Karnataka, who also will have to don the keeping gloves, was batting on 70 (105b, 10×4, 2×6). He had come it 92 for four and his grit, determination and skills, and some spirited support from Shardul Thakur (24) ensured that the Indian innings didn’t fold up too quickly against a formidable South African pace attack spearheaded by Kagiso Rabada.

Shardul, who has also in the past proved his worth lower down the order – remember the great Gabba Test – and Rahul put on 43 valuable runs after R. Ashwin, who made his way into the eleven after Ravindra Jadeja complained of upper back spasms, became the fourth victim of Rabada.