Morne Morkel and Kagiso Rabada took three wickets between them to leave New Zealand struggling on 73-4 going into lunch.
Critically, the Proteas have seen off Kane Williamson, which could mean the hosts are in for a long, hard day. The Kiwis had pinned their hopes on the bat of Williamson due to Ross Taylor’s absence following injury, but an unsuccessful review saw the skipper trudge back for two, in what was a scintillating spell from Rabada.
What could prove just as vital, was Keshav Maharaj’s breakthrough, who took a wicket only four balls into his spell to remove Jeet Raval for 36, and with that, the end of the session.
Faf du Plessis won the toss at a sunny Basin Reserve in Wellington, and admitting that there appeared to be a bit of swing on offer, he chose to field first.
This almost immediately paid dividends as Morkel (1-27) trapped Tom Latham at his crease. An appeal from Morkel fell on deaf ears from the umpire, but if Morkel had gone upstairs, he would have had his man. It didn’t prove costly however, as he got one to cut in slightly to see the out-of-sorts Latham off for eight.
Du Plessis decided to take Morkel out of the attack, which is unusual for someone who’s just taken a wicket, but it proved an excellent decision, for Rabada (2-15) came out guns blazing. The sixth ball of the over saw him get Williamson out lbw. Williamson reviewed it, but bizarrely the tracking wasn’t available. He had to walk, but they didn’t lose a review for it.
Neil Broom, who broke the record for the most first-class games before making his New Zealand debut, departed to an absolute screamer from Rabada in his next over, squaring the 33-year-old up before Quinton de Kock took a fine one-handed catch to his right for a duck.
Raval was forced to watch this all happen from the other end as the Kiwis capitulated to 21-3, but he held firm to build up a vital partnership with Henry Nicholls (24). After seeing off the persistent threat of Rabada, Morkel and Vernon Philander, the pair looked on track to see their side through to lunch, only for Maharaj to strike, comfortably making it South Africa’s session.
Scorecard
Photo: Marty Melville/Getty Images
