DURBAN: AB de Villiers and Mark Boucher took South Africa towards a competitive total on the second day of the second Test against England at Kingsmead on Sunday.

South Africa were 284 for eight at lunch after being 175 for five overnight.

De Villiers (50) and Boucher (39) batted positively at the start of an overcast day when England's bowlers might have expected to prosper, putting on 63 for the sixth wicket before Boucher fell victim to the umpiring review system with 2.5 overs remaining before the second new ball.

Boucher stretched well forward to off-spinner Graeme Swann, with bat and pad close together. Swann's appeal for leg before wicket was turned down by umpire Amish Saheba.

England sought a review and replays showed the ball would have hit just below the bails, so the decision was reversed and Boucher had to go.

Boucher had been in good form, making his runs off 50 balls with five fours and outscoring De Villiers, who batted solidly.

De Villiers went on to reach his half-century but two balls drove at a Stuart Broad outswinger and was caught behind by Matt Prior. He made his runs off 98 balls with six fours.

Paul Harris was a second lbw victim of Swann, unsuccessfully seeking a reprieve by review after being given out.

Morne Morkel maintained South Africa's momentum, scoring 23 not out.

The morning play was extended by half an hour after an early start to make up for time lost to bad light on the first day.