Maharaj's five-fer brings him to tears

Cape Town - Proteas spinner Keshav Maharaj says he was overwhelmed with emotion when he took his maiden five-wicket haul on day three of the first Test against New Zealand in Dunedin.

Maharaj, 27, became the first slow bowler to grab a five-wicket haul for South Africa in a Test match in New Zealand since 1964.

READ: Proteas: Maharaj ends 53-year drought

Maharaj recorded figures of 5-94 on Friday to keep New Zealand in check in their first innings total of 341 - a lead of 33.

The Proteas spinner says he was emotional when he recorded his first five-wicket haul for his country in just his fifth Test.

"I just thanked God for putting me in a position to take it (the five-fer)," Maharaj told reporters on Friday.

"It was very overwhelming and I shed a tear in the change room. It means a lot to me. I'm very chuffed with the achievement."

With the pitch deteriorating, Maharaj will have another big role to play in the fourth innings - provided the weather holds out.

"The pitch was extremely tough today, there was no pace on the ball and being a bowler of slower trajectory to the air makes it a bit more difficult, but it was a good challenge," said the Proteas spinner.

Maharaj was delighted with fast bowler Morne Morkel, who picked up 2-62 in his return to Test cricket.

"A player of his calibre showed his worth during this Test match in the way he bowled," said Maharaj.

"He bowled some quick spells and his control was sublime and he's back to the Morne Morkel we know."

The Proteas resume (00:00 SA time) on day four with Dean Elgar (12*) and Hashim Amla (23*) at the crease on 38/1.