Dunedin - Dean Elgar recorded his highest score for the Proteas, but they were left with a battle on their hands after New Zealand fought hard on day two of the first Test at the University Oval in Dunedin on Thursday.
As it happened: NZ v Proteas - 1st Test, Day 2
The plucky left-hander made 140 (299 balls, 24 fours) to
surpass his previous best of 129 against Sri Lanka earlier this season, before
he was the first wicket of a collapse that saw South Africa lose their last six
wickets for just 56 runs to be bowled out for 308.
Temba Bavuma also returned to form with his first
half-century since facing Australia last year as he made 64 (164 balls, 10
fours) and shared in a 104-run, fifth-wicket partnership with Elgar.
However, the Black Caps were fighting hard through their captain Kane Williamson by the close, reaching stumps on 177/3 – still trailing by 131.
The skipper was unbeaten on 78 (146 balls, 11 fours) having earlier
received good support from Jeet Raval, who made 52 (102 balls, 6 fours).
The tourists had started the day well positioned on 229/4 as Elgar and Bavuma extended their partnership beyond 100 and the South Africans looking fairly comfortable on 252/4 despite the efforts of the home bowlers.
Elgar was eventually undone by a sharp Neil Wagner delivery, sparking the start
of the collapse, with Quinton de Kock (10) next to go followed by Bavuma.
Pick of the bowlers Trent Boult (4/64) then accounted for
the tail - the Proteas were all out in 122.4 deliveries.
The outstanding Vernon Philander (1/37) claimed the wicket
of Tom Latham (10) early, before Raval and Williamson added 102 for the second
wicket.
Keshav Maharaj (2/57) then dismissed Raval, followed by
Henry Nicholls (12) late in the day to an outstanding, one-handed Hashim Amla
catch at slip, while Ross Taylor (8) had retired hurt in between due to a calf
problem.
Day two also marked the return of Morne Morkel with the ball
for the first time in a Test in over a year, and even though he went wicket
less, he showed plenty of signs of his old self during 10 overs that cost 26.