Bangladesh won the toss and put South Africa in to bat, and the pre-match formalities were completed before the delay took place. The two teams walked out at 10 am for the anthems were sung and to take the knee for the Black Lives Matter movement, but no play was possible due to sightscreen issues. The sightscreens were frozen black due to a malfunction, and despite efforts made by the ground staff to cover the screens at both ends, the black colour remained visible through the white sheets, presenting an obstacle to the batters attempting to see the ball.

The players left the field, with the game only able to start 35 minutes after the scheduled opening. The delay drew critical reactions, with the game the first time the Kingsmead Stadium was hosting a Test in three years.

Seriously Kingsmead. You've had three years to prepare for Test cricket and we've now had a 10 minute delay because of a "sightscreen malfunctioning." If this goes on any longer we'll be off for bad light. #SAvBANG

— Firdose Moonda (@FirdoseM) March 31, 2022

There were issues for the broadcasters attempting to describe the unusual delay, though eventually a workaround was reached.

"So, what should I use? We don't have one for the sightscreen …" pic.twitter.com/xlKCSRlCVw

— Tony Corke (@MatterOfStats) March 31, 2022

If anyone has some spare sheets, send them to Kingsmead #SAvBAN pic.twitter.com/wEb17zpq03

— Andrew McGlashan (@andymcg_cricket) March 31, 2022

South Africa reached lunch on 95-0.