The Proteas trail by 244 runs and have eight first-innings wickets in hand at the start of day two in Wellington.
After bowling New Zealand out for 268, South Africa lost two wickets late on day one. Hashim Amla and nightwatchman Kagiso Rabada managed to see out the remaining overs, and will be at the crease when play resumes on day two.
Day 1 report: Duminy takes four, but SA lose openers
The game is evenly poised at this point. New Zealand will have their tails up, having dismissed Stephen Cook and Dean Elgar – who scored 140 and 89 in the first Test – for 3 and 9 respectively.
At the same time, the Proteas did well to bowl New Zealand out for 268 after putting the hosts in to bat. If South Africa bat for the duration of day two and one or two sessions on day three, they will be in a strong position to win this Test.
The good news is that conditions should be ideal for batting on days two and three. There may be some assistance for the bowlers early on in the morning, but if the Proteas manage to negotiate that challenge, they will have an opportunity to pile on the runs.
Day 1 analysis: Patience key to big lead
The bad news is that they have already lost one of their best batsmen in Elgar. Amla, Temba Bavuma, and to a lesser extent JP Duminy, have battled for runs in recent times. Faf du Plessis is in good nick, but will need support if the Proteas are to amass a significant first-innings total.
NZ 268 (1st innings) – Henry Nicholls 118, BJ Watling 34, JP Duminy 4-47, Keshav Maharaj 2-47
SA 24-2 (1st innings) – Kagiso Rabada 8 not out, Colin de Grandhomme 1-2
South Africa trail by 244 runs
