After the Proteas fell to 2-20 and just 12.2 overs were possible on day one of the second Test on Sunday, persistent rain continued across the night in Gqeberha.
The weather cleared by 10:30am, but match officials were concerned by a very wet outfield that had areas of mud and heavy water.
After hours of being dried by the Gqeberha wind and numerous inspections, play was cleared to start at 3:45pm (12:45am AEDT) with 30.4 overs to be bowled.
Both teams had remained at their hotel until mid-afternoon, with legitimate concerns play may not be possible on day two.
It comes after Scott Boland had struck twice in two balls on Sunday to justify his selection ahead of Nathan Lyon on Sunday, as Australia went with four quicks and no frontline spinner.Â
The Victorian first bowled Aiden Markram with a ball that nipped back and drew the inside edge, knocking out the opener's middle stump.
His next delivery pitched in about the same spot and seamed away to have David Bedingham caught behind.
A win at St George's Park would wrap up the three-Test series for Australia after the 214-run victory in Durban last week, and make them the first visiting team to triumph in South Africa since England in 2019-20.
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