New Zealand took two wickets to launch a fightback as they put the brakes on South Africa who reached 2-182 at tea on Saturday's opening day of the second Test at Centurion.
Stephen Cook and Quinton de Kock shared a brisk 100-run partnership before lunch in a bright start for the hosts but both were dismissed as New Zealand's bowlers delivered a lively second session.
De Kock was first to depart, pulling Neil Wagner to the boundary and being caught by Trent Boult for 82 with the score on 133 - the biggest first-wicket partnership for South Africa in two years.
Cook went 20 runs later, taken in the gully by Black Caps captain Kane Williamson's low catch off the bowling of Doug Bracewell for 56.
Hashim Amla (24no) and JP Duminy (14no) were not out at tea with Amla surviving a close lbw decision on 17 after asking for a review.
At lunch, Williamson might have been regretting putting South Africa into bat with De Kock picking off the loose deliveries to speed to his 50 which included 10 fours.
But he would have been a lot happier with the toil of his team after the second session.
De Kock had been moved up the order after Dean Elgar suffered a freak injury on the eve of the Test, rolling his right ankle over the boundary rope during training and spraining it. Elgar's place was taken by Stiaan van Zyl.
The Test is New Zealand's chance to register a first series win over South Africa.
The first game in the two-match series in Durban last week was abandoned after a day-and-a-half's play because of a wet outfield.
