Hashim Amla completed his 19th Test ton and along with Faf du Plessis took SA to 293/4 on Day 1 of the 2nd Test at St. George's Park on Friday.Faf du Plessis and Graeme Smith also compiled half-centuries.
du Plessis (69 not out) and Amla combined for an unbroken fifth-wicket partnership of 102.
Amla reached the at stump unbeaten on 106 while Smith notched his 36th Test half-century shortly after lunch before being dismissed eight balls later for 54 with seven fours.
Paceman Doug Bracewell, with figures of two for 70, was the pick of New Zealand's attack.
The elegant Amla brought a slice of luck when, on 48, he was dropped in the gully by Kane Williamson off the bowling of left-arm quick Trent Boult.
Amla and Smith combined for a second-wicket stand of 92 off 20.4 overs before Smith was caught down the legside by keeper BJ Watling off the bowling of left-arm seamer Neil Wagner to leave South Africa on 121 for two.
The hosts lost their third wicket 16 runs later when Jacques Kallis (8) edged a Bracewell delivery through to Watling.
But any hopes New Zealand might have harboured of making further quick inroads into a powerful batting line-up were dashed when AB de Villiers (51) and Amla added 86 for fourth-wicket partnership.
South Africa had won the toss and elected to bat on a slowish pitch which offered up just a touch of movement for the seam bowlers.
Smith and Alviro Peterson (21) put on a 29-run opening stand but the right-handed Peterson departed when he top-edged an attempted hook shot off the bowling of Bracewell and was caught by Jeetan Patel at fine leg before the hosts took lunch on 99 for one.
New Zealand included debutant all-rounder Colin Munro in their line up.
Brief scores
South Africa 325 for 4 (Amla 106*, du Plessis 69*, Smith 54)
