AFP, NOTTINGHAM: Heino Kuhn held firm as South Africa made a sound start to be 56 for one after a rain-interrupted session at lunch on the first day of the second Test against England at Trent Bridge on Friday.

Kuhn was 34 not out and Hashim Amla 16 not out, having become the fourth South African following Jacques Kallis, Graeme Smith and AB de Villiers to score 8,000 Test runs.

The Proteas, 1-0 down in the four-match series after a 211-run defeat inside four days at Lord's last week, saw their top order go some way to repaying the faith of returning captain Faf du Plessis, who opted to bat first after winning the toss.