Centuries by the captain Kane Williamson and Rachin Ravindra left New Zealand in a good spot at stumps on day one of the 1st Test against South Africa in Mount Maunganui.

The Black Caps scored 258/2 in 86 overs for a solid start to the series.

The Blacks lost the wicket of the South African-born batter Devon Williams, in the second over of their first innings when he trapped lbw off the bowling of Tshepo Moreki for just 1-run.

Tom Latham was dismissed for 20-run when he was caught behind by the wicketkeeper Clyde Fortuin off the bowling of Dane Paterson.

Williamson went on to score his 30th Test century and at the close of play was unbeaten on 112. Ravindra in turn scored his first-ever ton in the longest format of the game at the close of play was unbeaten on 118.

South Africa didn’t do themselves any favours by dropping two catches which could have led to the Kiwis being four to six wickets down at stumps.

The former Knights seamer, Duanne Olivier, who was making his return to the Proteas team, said while they are on the backfoot, there is still a lot of cricket left to be played.

“Fair play to Kane and Ravindra, they played well. I feel that we bowled really well in the first two sessions,” said Olivier.

“Maybe we let it go a little bit, but of course the ball is also a little older and the wicket is playing a touch slower than normal. We also put two catches down, myself included, so it could have been different, but at the end of the day we are where we are now.

“There were a couple of play-and-misses and stuff like that, but that's Test cricket. On a different day it might have gone our way, but today it went their way. There are still four days to go, so a lot can happen.”

The captain Neil Brand, as well as Edward Moore, Raynard van Tonder, Ruan de Swardt, Clyde Fortuin and Tshepo Moreki are all on debut for South Africa.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport