NZ vs SA Test | It was a tough day for South Africa as New Zealand dominated the first Test

Henry Nichols' eighth Test century helped New Zealand to a 387-run first-innings lead when the Proteas were stumped 34-3.

New Zealand scored 387 with Henry Nichols' eighth Test century, taking a first-innings lead over South Africa on Friday, the second day of the first Test, and the Proteas lost stumps 34-3 after a disastrous start to their second innings.

With the extra contributions of wicketkeeper Tom Blundell (96), Colin de Granthome (45) and South Africa-born Neil Wagner (49), New Zealand, who mocked their former compatriot as the Knight Watchman, scored 482 for 95 in South Africa's first innings.

Matt Henry, who had taken 7-23 on the first day, joined South Africa's 58 in 11 innings, joining the younger players who scored fifty and took seven wickets in the same match. Henry and Blundell paired up for 96 for the last wicket to complete New Zealand's victory.

Nine overs before the stumps in a torturous spell, South Africa's hopes of saving the match were completely shattered. They lost Charl எs Erwில் in the second ball of the inning, with Henry and Blundell together dismissing captain Dean Elgar for a run, while Aidan Markram was out for 2 runs.

Temba Bauma (22) and Russie van der Duchenne (9) trailed 353 before the Proteas were 4-3 before stabilizing them in front of the stumps.

"Who knows if we can keep up with this pace? We can finish it with confidence tomorrow," Blundell said.

The day was special for players who are not often praised for their contribution to the New Zealand team.

Nichols took time to establish himself in the New Zealand batting line-up by scoring a half-century in his debut match against Australia in 2016. He continued to feature in the New Zealand middle order after scoring his first century against South Africa in 2017. .

However, he has mostly worked in the shadow of players like Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor and Tom Latham. Despite scoring 157 against Pakistan in January last year, Williamson was dismissed for 238.

Mostly number. Batting at 5 he was reliable but not spectacular. On Friday, Williamson's fourth century in his absence, his fourth century in his last 10 Tests, was his sixth innings with 50 or more runs scored in the same period.

He had batted 267 minutes or almost 4 1-2 hours when he was out for 105 runs. His career-best 175 against the West Indies in 2020 was over seven hours.

Nichols' 80-run partnership with Wagner for the third wicket was a blow to South Africa's hopes of staying in contention after their worst first innings against New Zealand, after South Africa's low score.

The Black Caps started again at 116-3 on Friday, just 21 ahead, with early wickets likely to put them under pressure. But Wagner continued the attack from the start, hitting a series of fours just behind the point when he threw the bat, first targeting Kagiso Rabada. But he also played quality shots including an amazing cover drive when he walked in the Half Valley.

Henry and Daryl Mitchell added 48 runs for the next wicket as New Zealand increased its advantage. Henry reached his century off 156 balls in 256 minutes, shortly before New Zealand were 273-6.

South Africa's test on the field is not over yet. De Granthome and Kyle Jamison added 76 for the seventh wicket, the last wicket stand between Tom Blundell and Henry was a bit of a blow to their confidence as they fielded until the afternoon and overcrowded evening at the Hawkeye Oval.