Lunch South Africa 298-7 (Jansen 11*, Rabada 2*, Wagner 3-59, Henry 3-80) vs New Zealand
New Zealand struggled to get back to the Test match with four wickets for 60 runs from 27 overs on the second morning as South Africa failed to fully capitalize on their lead from day one. Their run rate stalled at just over two for more as New Zealand relied on discipline to create chances. They threw a further nine first overs, to add to the 31 on day one, to take their tally to 40, more than a third of the total overs so far.
Conditions changed mid-session when it clouded over and a light drizzle started to fall, which won't bother South Africa too much. With the pitch being well watered, their bowlers may not be too happy to start bowling anytime soon, but they will first try to get the score beyond 300.
Matt Henry created his first chance in the fourth over in the morning. Rassie van der Dussen attempted to drive a ball that went wide but passed Tim Southee at the third slip. After five edges failed to continue on day one, it looked like New Zealand had been surprised when one did and Southee couldn't hold on. van der Dussen returned the next ball to Henry, but was unsuccessful and broke away for three. On his next over, Henry found the sewing move that was missing on day one and beat van der Dussen with a ball that looked to have taken the edge but failed to do so. Finally, Henry had some luck when he hit Temba Bavuma with a delivery that went under the bat and knocked over off stump.
Two balls later Henry beat Kyle Verreynne with a delivery that went wide and missed the edge and two balls after that Verreynne nearly ran out on the non-attacking end when he ran off the mark with a single risk. Henry only had to wait for his next for Verreynne to cut the second slip. The South African wicketkeeper-batter has scored just 112 runs in six Test innings and averages 14.
South Africa were down 2 from 23 in the first 10 overs of the morning and New Zealand kept the pressure on, conceding just 16 runs in the next 10 overs and something had to give. Neil Wagner was the beneficiary of the squeeze as van der Dussen, desperate for a run, chased a wide half-volley with a knee and edged past Daryl Mitchell on the first slip.
Wiaan Mulder, still considered a versatile batter, looked calm and played hard shots with his front and back foot before attempting a long drive which he tried to bail out of playing. He hit Wagner high and Tom Blundell easily and caught behind the stumps.
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