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Johannesburg - At lunch on day one of the third Test between the Proteas and India at Wanderers, Vernon Philander's bowling figures were startling.
READ: Pujara: One of toughest wickets I've played on
India had recovered from an early wobble to end the session on 45/2 after 27 overs.
That slow scoring rate, which persisted throughout the majority of the Indian innings, was largely down to Philander.
At lunch, his figures were 1/1 after eight overs having bowled seven maidens.
It was fitting that, in his milestone Test, Philander delivered in a way that has become so familiar over the years.
This Wanderers wicket, green and lively, was made for him.
Philander eventually finished with figures of 2/31 from 19 overs and bowled no less than 10 maidens.
In conditions like these, it is hard to find a better bowler in world cricket and, at times, Philander was unplayable for even the most accomplished Indian batsman.
For 21-year-old Andile Phehlukwayo, playing in just his fourth Test match, witnessing Philander's precision was something special.
"Vernon once again just showed his class and being on the field with him in his 50th game was unbelievable," Phehlukwayo said.
"When I watch him bowl I get goosebumps at times … to imagine how consistent a guy can be on a length and move the ball both ways.
"As a batter you can’t predict where the ball is going.
"As a youngster I look up to him. Hopefully he can get more wickets for South Africa."
Phehlukwayo, meanwhile, has quietly gone about notching up 11 Test wickets.
His 2/25 on Wednesday was hugely important to the Proteas cause given that his scalps were Cheteshwar Pujara, who was well set on 50, and the dangerous Hardik Pandya.
Phehlukwayo was brought into the side for spinner Keshav Maharaj, and he is satisfied with the way things have gone so far.
"The guys put the ball in the right areas and we were rewarded," he said.
