Emotional Erwee's hard work pays off with maiden Test ton: 'It's a very special day'

Sarel Erwee carded his first Test century in just his third innings at the Hagley Oval on Friday as the Proteas batted themselves into a strong position on day one of the second Test against New Zealand. 

Erwee's 108 off 221 (14 x 4) helped South Africa to 238/3 at stumps as they look to level the two-match series, and while the 32-year-old put the team first in his initial assessment of the day, it was impossible to ignore how significant this moment was for a man who just two years ago never thought he would be in the position he is today. 

Erwee has played just under 100 first-class matches and has become a seasoned veteran on the domestic circuit where he has piled runs on for the Dolphins. 

Under the leadership of national head coach Mark Boucher, though, Erwee has been brought into that set-up where he has spent the last year carrying drinks for the Test team. 

With Dean Elgar and Aiden Markram the settled opening pair, opportunities for Erwee or anyone else at the top of the order looked few and far between until the pressure on the under-performing Markram final saw him moved down the order with Keegan Petersen missing the New Zealand tour. 

It gave Erwee his opportunity, but scores of 10 and 0 in the first Test in Christchurch did not make for the best starts. 

Now, Erwee is Test centurion, and it feels pretty good. 

"It's a very special day," said Erwee.

"About 24 months ago, I didn't think I'd be in a position to be even close to a South African Tests squad, so to sit here today with a Test hundred behind my name is extremely special.

"I think it's more special having gone through all of the hard yards over the years. You take learnings along those years and it's been about implementing them with the squad over the