A masterclass from Matt Henry on a grassy Hagley Oval pitch helped rout South Africa for just 95, as the success for the hosts continued.
READ: MATT HENRY STEAMROLLS PROTEAS TOP ORDER | LUNCH DAY 1 | 1ST TEST SA VS NZ
Zubayr Hamza top-scored for the Proteas with 25, but a 33-run stand with Kyle Verreynne was the most resistance that SA had on offer, as Henry ran through the middle order, courtesy plenty of seam movement.
The final four wickets fell for just 10 runs, as a collective effort with the ball overpowered a rather insipid approach from the Proteas.
In response, Kagiso Rabada and debutant Glenton Stuurman kept it tight early on, but it was Marco Jansen who reaped the first reward for South Africa, when opener Will Young nicked off to the keeper.
Skipper Tom Latham and Devon Conway looked determined, occupying the crease well and waiting for the poor deliveries. However, Duanne Olivier made the next inroad, as he struck the top of off to remove Latham.
With both openers out of the picture, it was time to lay down the platform. Conway and Nicholls complemented each other well, with Nicholls being the quicker scored.
The third wicket stand drove NZ into the lead, but Olivier returned to dismiss Conway, who chopped one onto his stumps. The third wicket somewhat mitigated the situation, but SA have their work cut out.
SA 95 (Hamza 25 – Henry 7/23)
NZ 116/3 (Nicholls 37*, Conway 36 – Olivier 2/36)