New Zealand were dismissed for 268 in their first innings but fought back to reduce South Africa to 24/2 at stumps on Day 1 of the second Test at the Basin Reserve on Thursday.
Henry Nicholls’ maiden Test century took the Black Caps to a competitive total after JP Duminy scalped four wickets for the visitors. His 118, combined with Tim Southee and Colin de Grandhomme grabbing a wicket each, subdued the Proteas on Day 1.
Southee had Stephen Cook caught at second slip by Jimmy Neesham for three before de Grandhomme for Dean Elgar in similar fashion for nine.
Nightwatchman Kagiso Rabada, 8*, was at the crease with Hashim Amla, who was yet to score when stumps were drawn.
Asked to bat first, New Zealand were pushed onto the back foot early on. But Nicholls stitched together 52 with opener Jeet Raval and then shared a partnership of 116 runs with BJ Watling (34) for the sixth wicket to steer his team. The 25-year-old brought up his century with a hook off Rabada that raced to the boundary.
For South Africa, Rabada picked up two wickets, including that of New Zealand captain Kane Williamson on 2 after the pace trio of Rabada, Morne Morkel and Vernon Philander wreaked havoc. But the pick of the bowlers was part-time off-spinner JP Duminy who finished with figures of 4/47 in under 12 overs, including Nicholls.
Brief scores
- New Zealand 268 (Henry Nicolls 118, BJ Watling 34; JP Duminy 4/47) vs South Africa 24/2 (Colin de Grandhomme 1/2).
