The South African and Indian teams observed a moment of silence ahead of the Boxing Day Test match in honour of anti-apartheid icon Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who died on Sunday.
Dean Elgar’s team also entered the ground wearing black armbands as a mark of respect.
Tutu played a crucial role in a campaign to resolve the problem of apartheid in South Africa.
“The passing of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu is another chapter of bereavement in our nation’s farewell to a generation of outstanding South Africans who have bequeathed us a liberated South Africa,” South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa tweeted.
“Desmond Tutu was a patriot without equal; a leader of principle and pragmatism who gave meaning to the biblical insight that faith without works is dead. We pray that Archbishop Tutu’s soul will rest in peace but that his spirit will stand sentry over the future of our nation,” Ramaphosa added.
Tutu, South Africa's Nobel Peace Prize-winning activist for racial justice and LGBT rights and retired Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town, died at the age of 90. Tutu had been hospitalised several times since 2015, after being diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1997.
"The teams had a moment of silence ahead of the start of the first Betway Test match against India. The Proteas are wearing black armbands in honour of Mr Tutu," the Indian team's media wing said.
Meanwhile, India got off to a good start as the vice captain KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal together stiched a partnership of 83 till the lunch time. Both Rahul and Mayank showed restraint outside off and when South Africa’s attack lost patience and control, they made the most of scoring opportunities. South Africa could've had Agarwal on 36 had de Kock hung onto a fairly tough chance in the 18th over off debutant Marco Jansen.
