The threat of Saeed Ajmal became apparent to South Africa for the first time in the series on Friday as the Pakistan spinner dismissed both openers on day two of the second Test at Newlands.

South Africa went to the tea break on 2-65, having bowled Pakistan out for 338 earlier in the day.

Ajmal was nullified by a seam-friendly pitch in the first Test at the Wanderers, but a healthy breeze and a dry surface at Newlands assisted both drift and turn as he became the main danger for the Proteas batsmen.

Graeme Smith and Alviro Petersen were dismissed by Ajmal, leaving Hashim Amla, on 17, and Faf du Plessis, on 3, at the crease at the end of the second session.

In the morning session, Vernon Philander claimed his ninth five-wicket haul in his 15th Test for South Africa, but a spirited ninth-wicket partnership boosted Pakistan to 338.

The visiting side were bowled out on the stroke of lunch, with Philander finishing with 5-59 from 26 overs.

Philander struck in the second, fourth and sixth overs of the day to reduce Pakistan to 8-268, but Tanvir Ahmed and Saeed Ajmal put on 64 for the ninth wicket to keep the innings rolling.

Spinner Robin Peterson eventually ended the stand when he dismissed Ahmed for 44, before bringing the innings to a close by bowling last man Mohammad Irfan.

Centuries by Younis Khan and Asad Shafiq transformed Pakistan’s fortunes on day one after the visitors had been reeling at 4-33 after being sent in.

Younis was caught behind on Thursday off Philander for 111, while Shafiq also fell on 111 to Philander on Friday.