Second Test finely poised as Proteas lead New Zealand by 211 after day three

Brief scores

Day 3 of 5:  Stumps

South Africa 364 and 140/5

New Zealand 293

Johannesburg - Kyle Verreynne and Wiaan Mulder survived an extremely tense final 40 minutes at Hagley Oval on Sunday to keep South Africa’s noses in front in the second Test against New Zealand.

The little wicketkeeper, who is in need of a score to boost his own self-belief, reached 22 not out, while Mulder will resume alongside him on Monday with his score on 10, as the pair held off a late charge from the Black Caps and stretched the Proteas lead to 211 runs.

It was another riveting day’s play with the hosts staging a fightback with both bat and then ball to wrest back some of the control South Africa had taken on Saturday.

Kagiso Rabada’s 11th Test ‘five for’ ensured an important, but not massive lead on the first innings.

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New Zealand had the better of the morning session in which Colin de Grandhomme completed a superb century. It was an innings that started aggressively, with De Grandhomme counter-attacking when his team was in trouble at 91/5 and scoring his fifty off only 36 balls. Thereafter he showed due care and a bit of discomfort against Keshav Maharaj.

However, with Daryl Mitchell, who made 60, providing good support, De Grandhomme gradually asserted himself again. He looked at ease against all South Africa’s seam bowlers and despite a lengthy period spent negotiating through the 90s, reached his second Test century with a nudge behind square on the off-side, against Maharaj.

De Grandhomme eventually finished unbeaten on 120, which came off 158 balls and included 12 fours and three sixes. Had he managed to face more of the bowling when the tailenders were at the crease