Proteas skittle New Zealand to take lead in Hamilton
On day two of the second test at Seddon Park on Wednesday, South Africa dismissed New Zealand's tail for 211 and took a surprise first-innings lead of 31 runs.
Off-spinner Dane Piedt (5-89) and seamer Dane Paterson (3-39) did the majority of the damage as the Proteas dismissed the final seven New Zealand batters for 66 runs after lunch.
It could have been worse but for Neil Wagner's 27-ball 33, which included two thumping sixes and helped the hosts get closer to South Africa's score of 242.
With a slew of test rookies sent to New Zealand while their more experienced teammates competed in Cricket South Africa's Twenty20 competition, little was expected of Neil Brand's team in Hamilton.
Expectations were lowered even further when Brand named two spinners, including the recalled Piedt, to face New Zealand's four-pronged seam attack.
"It was a great day of cricket for South Africa and the Proteas," said Piedt.
"Very proud of how everyone put their hand up and competed. We know we are on the back foot all the time and we just tried to take those windows of opportunity and fortunately it went our way."
New Zealand, which won the first test by a comfortable 281 runs last week, ended South Africa's innings in the first 40 minutes of play for a mere 22 runs.
Debutant paceman Will O'Rourke (4-59) took three of the four wickets and will begin the second innings with a hat-trick after dismissing Ruan de Swardt (64) and Paterson in consecutive balls.
Despite opener Devon Conway's poor form continuing and Kane Williamson departing for 43, the Black Caps batsmen appeared poised to grind out the day and get at least to parity when they reached tea on 121-3.
Quick Tshepo Moreki struck first after the break when Rachin Ravindra, who scored a double century in the first test, played the ball onto his own stumps for 29.
Tom Blundell also went on to fall for four to Paterson, who then dismissed New Zealand captain Tim Southee for five.
Piedt, who left South Africa four years ago to play in the United States, had already dealt with dangerman Williamson and opener Tom Latham.
The 33-year-old returned to dash New Zealand's hopes of a middle-order partnership, trapping Glenn Phillips for four, and claimed his fourth victim when Will Young (36) made an ill-advised charge down the track and holed out in the deep.
Matt Henry was run out for ten runs, and Piedt finally broke New Zealand's resistance when Wagner charged him, only to completely miss the ball and watch helplessly as Clyde Fortuin stumped him.
"Not an ideal finish to the day," said Latham. "I thought we were in a good position but I guess we've seen on this surface that it can be a tricky wicket to get in on."
"The game is sort of in the balance and the South African bowlers have shown how to bowl on that surface. Hopefully we can do something similar."
SportsLigue