New Zealand have impressed with their all-round brilliance in the 1st Test, thus securing a resounding 281-run win against the Proteas.

The hosts opted to declare heading into the start of Day 4, giving South Africa a fourth-innings target of 529.

It was already a familiar beginning, as Neil Brand got bowled by a peach from NZ skipper Tim Southee. Soon after, Edward Moore spooned a catch to extra cover. But the visitors had some respite, as Raynard van Tonder and Zubayr Hamza calmly guided SA to lunch with a partnership that crossed 50.

Unfortunately, both players fell in quick succession right after the lunch break. But David Bedingham would have other plans, despite the ongoing struggles.

The hard-hitting right-hander had other plans, and shone with his counterattack. Bedingham was up to the task against the Kiwi pacers’ short-ball tactics, even though there were multiple boundary riders.

Bedingham and Petersen successfully made it to tea, but both would depart right after, much like van Tonder and Hamza. Kyle Jamieson accounted for both double-strikes.

Ruan de Swardt managed a decent 34, but Mitchell Santner rounded off the innings with the final three wickets.

It’s been a deja vu of a start to the series, as a full-strength Proteas side also notoriously struggled in the first game during the previous Test tour of New Zealand. However, the lack of experience has clearly shown, and they’ll have their work cut out to stage a better fightback against a steadfast and stacked NZ unit.

NZ 511 + 179/4(d)

SA 162 + 247 (Bedingham 87 – Jamieson 17-3-58-4, Santner 26-9-59-3)