Tamim Iqbal and Mahmudullah (in pic) made half-centuries as Bangladesh scored 179/4, trailing South Africa by 69 runs on day two of the first Test on Wednesday.
Torrential rain wiped out the last 36 scheduled overs.
Captain Mushfiqur Rahim was batting on 16, with Shakib Al Hasan on 1.
Mahmdullah and Tamim Iqbal steadied the innings with an 89-run partnership from 55-2 in the first session.
Tamim, on 57, was the only wicket to fall in the middle session, and Mahmudullah was removed for 67 just four balls before the rain stopped the game for the first time. His dismissal kept the game in the balance.
Play resumed for only one ball, which Shakib used to get off the mark. Dean Elgar, Stiaan Van Zyl, Vernon Philander, and Simon Harmer shared the wickets.
Bangladesh, which has lost all eight previous tests to South Africa, was watchful throughout the day in reply to South Africa’s 248. But just when it looked like it might establish dominance, Tamim, then Mahudullah, were dismissed.
Imrul Kayes was first out for 26, stumped when taking a casual approach to an innocuous ball from medium-pacer Van Zyl.
His opening stand with Tamim of 46 tied for Bangladesh’s second highest against South Africa.
Brief Scores SA: 248 lead B’desh: 179/4 (Tamim 57, Mahmudullah 67; Vernon Philander 1/22) by 69 runs.