Jansen rues late Black Caps fightback but improved Proteas keep pole position

Budding Proteas all-rounder Marco Jansen said they expected a fightback from New Zealand, one that came in the form of the sixth-wicket stand between Colin de Grandhomme and Daryl Mitchell.

South Africa walked away with the second day spoils when they had New Zealand at 157/5 at the end of the second day's play of the second Test at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch.

Their lead of 207 could have even been bigger, but the free-spirited De Grandhomme (54*) hit a 36-ball 50, his ninth in Tests, and dominated the 66-run partnership between him and Mitchell that allowed the hosts to whittle down SA's lead after they bowled SA out for 364.

SCORECARD | New Zealand v South Africa, Second Test, Day Two

The alliance came after Jansen (2/48) and Kagiso Rabada (3/37) worked their way through the Blacks Caps' top-order, leaving the possibility of accruing a big lead on a surface that increasingly took turn.

Jansen said they recognised the threat that would come from New Zealand's middle and lower-order, but they would press to force mistakes.

"We always knew there was going to be a partnership somewhere, but we said we won't back down if one comes up," Jansen said.

"We just need to stay in the fight and keep hitting our areas for as long as possible. We're going to go out on day three and try to make them play as much as possible.

"We'll try to force them to make the mistakes because it is a good batting wicket if the ball isn't doing anything."

While South Africa's bowling remained intelligent in the face of De Grandhomme's belligerence, New Zealand's top-order had few answers to get past the same attack they dominated last week.

One of the rabbits pulled out of the hat was Henry Nicholls' (39) dismissal at the hands of Jansen, where the