South Africa took control of the second Test against the West Indies in Georgetown, building a 239-run lead by the end of the second day on Friday. The South Africans were 223-5 at stumps, setting themselves up to build a commanding advantage after both teams struggled with low scores in the first innings.

Aiden Markram and Kyle Verreynne were key contributors, each scoring half-centuries on a challenging and hot day. Unlike the first day, which saw 17 wickets fall as South Africa was bowled out for 160 and the West Indies stumbled to 97-7, Friday’s play featured several momentum shifts.

The West Indies, aided by Jason Holder's unbeaten 54, managed to add 47 runs to their overnight total before being bowled out for 144, leaving them 16 runs behind South Africa's first innings. South Africa began their second innings positively with a 79-run opening partnership between Markram and Tony de Zorzi before de Zorzi was dismissed for 39.

Markram reached 51 before being trapped lbw by spinner Gudakesh Motie, which triggered a mini-collapse for South Africa as they lost three wickets for 19 runs. However, Verreynne and Wiaan Mulder stabilized the innings with an unbeaten 84-run partnership, the largest of the series so far. Verreynne will resume on 50, with Mulder on 34, as they look to extend South Africa’s lead on the third day. The first Test in Trinidad ended in a draw due to rain interruptions.