South Africa lost six wickets in the final Test against England on a rain-plagued first day at Centurion Park.

Andrew Caddick and Darren Gough grabbed two apiece, while Chris Silverwood and Alan Mullally also pitched in to help reduce the home side to a nervous 155-6, before bad light and drizzle stopped play.

But on a wicket that did little to help the South African batsmen, England will be frustrated at their performance in the field.

Too often their bowlers were wide of the mark, and though the scoreline suggests that a handsome victory may await them, England's brittle batting order will have to withstand a similar attack on Saturday.

The pick of the South African batsmen were debutant Pieter Strydom (30) - who replaced the injured Jonty Rhodes - and Daryll Cullinan (46).

In true South African fashion, Strydom looked immediately comfortable, despite an early run-out scare, while Cullinan attacked the England field ferociously, before being caught and bowled by Mullally in the day's final session.

Play, which was delayed by rain until 1200 GMT (1400 local time) was eventually abandoned after just four-and-a-half hours.

But not before Lance Klusener had embedded himself at the crease to smash a quick 22 off 33 balls.

Gough strikes early

The Test had started positively for England when Gough, in the day's first over, dismissed Gary Kirsten without a run being scored.

England captain Nasser Hussain had earlier won the toss and his decision to put the home side in to bat immediately reaped rewards when Kirsten edged to Chris Adams.

Herschelle Gibbs was next to go, gloving a fine Caddick delivery again to Adams for just three runs.

The morning rain then again interrupted proceedings, but undoubtedly came at the right time for the visitors after a dreadful spell from their seam attack.

After the break, Caddick bowled Jacques Kallis with his first ball of the session, before South African captain Hansie Cronje's poor form continued when he was caught off Gough by Darren Maddy at short-leg for nought.

Cronje's departure brought Strydom to the crease and the newcomer frustrated the England attack, hammering anything wide of the crease to notch up an impressive 30.

England were in danger of losing control, but Silverwood eventually got the much-needed breakthrough with his first ball of the final session to leave the home side at 102-5.

Cullinan proved typically resistant, notching up a brave 46, with a number of sizzling boundaries.

Clearly looking to attack, the South African batsman had been unafraid to hit out close to the England field.

But when he attempted one hook too many to a Mullally delivery that stayed low, the England bowler casually walked up the crease to take an easy catch.

South Africa made a late change to their starting line-up, after paceman Allan Donald - who is suffering from gout - was replaced by Nantie Hayward.

Fifth Test Match: South Africa v England
14/01/00 at Centurion Park

Play In Progress
Scorecard correct at 16:25 BST

South Africa 155 for 6 (45overs)

South Africa innings

Batsman			Runs	Balls	4s	6s
G Kirsten	c Adams	b Gough	0	7	-	-
HH Gibbs	c Adams	b Caddick	3	21	-	-
JH Kallis		b Caddick	25	61	2	1
DJ Cullinan	c &	b Mullally	46	91	5	-
WJ Cronje	c Maddy	b Gough	0	6	-	-
PC Strydom	c Stewart	b Silverwood	30	41	5	-
L Klusener		not out	22	33	2	1
SM Pollock		not out	9	17	1	-
Extras	2b 8lb 3w 7nb		20
TOTAL:	6 wkts, 45 overs		155

Fall of wickets: 1-1 (1 Kirsten, 3 mins), 2-15 (14 Gibbs, 31 mins), 3-50 (35 Kallis, 90 mins), 4-55 (5 Cronje, 7 mins), 5-102 (47 Strydom, 59 mins), 6-136 (34 Cullinan, 37 mins)
Still to bat: M V Boucher, M Hayward, P R Adams

Bowler	O	M	R	W
D Gough	13	2	46	2
A R Caddick	12	5	29	2
A D Mullally	13	5	25	1
C E W Silverwood	7	1	45	1

England won the toss and decided to field

Umpires: R E Koertzen, D B Hair

South Africa
G Kirsten , H H Gibbs , J H Kallis , D J Cullinan , W J Cronje (capt) , P C Strydom , L Klusener , S M Pollock , M V Boucher (wkt) , M Hayward , P R Adams ,

England
M A Butcher , M A Atherton , N Hussain (capt) , M P Vaughan , A J Stewart (wkt) , C J Adams , D L Maddy , A R Caddick , D Gough , C E W Silverwood , A D Mullally ,