Bavuma only happy if his contributions aid Proteas

Proteas middle-order batter and vice-skipper Temba Bavuma may have provided a smidgen of resistance in the embarrassment that was the first Test against New Zealand, but said what he does personally doesn't matter if the team isn't doing well.

Bavuma scored 41 in South Africa's hapless 111 all out in response to New Zealand's rollicking 486 which was compiled in just 117.5 overs.

That meant New Zealand scored at just over four runs to the over with 55 fours and three sixes. SA's first innings of 95 all out had four double-figure scores and a highest of 25 by Zubayr Hamza.

There were only two ducks in the first innings, but there were three in the second dig coupled with four double-digit scores.

Bavuma's fourth 40-plus score in his past 10 innings is part of a reasonable scoring wave, but said he needed to contribute better to wins.

"It's difficult to separate an individual's performance from the team's, especially after the showing we had," Bavuma said.

"There are positives with my game and I'm far from being down and out. However, the team is in a space where we need someone to put up their hand.

"As much as my form has been decent over the last while, while there is still a concern with the team, I won't be fully happy with myself."

For the Proteas to square the series in the second Test that starts on Friday at the Hagley Oval, big scores from Bavuma and Dean Elgar will be required to tame New Zealand's fire breathing attack.

Across the two poor innings, South Africa had little response to Matt Henry (7/23) and Tim Southee (5/35) as irresistible swing and seam dealt SA repeated blows.

At the ages of 31 and 34 respectively, Bavuma and Elgar are not only just the senior heads, but also the key leadership figures.

Elgar is the