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NZ vs SA | 1st Test: New Zealand rattle South Africa to go 1-0 up in series

Somya Kapoor

New Zealand created history on Saturday after beating South Africa by an innings and 276 runs in the first Test of the two-match series in Christchurch. 

After taking a mammoth lead in the first innings, the Blackcaps bundled out the Proteas for 111 in the second innings to clinch a thumping victory. 

The visitors had a dismal start to the proceedings as they lost early wickets and were left tottering at 46/5 when Temba Bavuma and Kyle Verreynne tried to chip in with a few runs. 

The two batters stitched a stand of 41 runs for the sixth wicket before Bavuma was trapped in front of the stumps by Wagner for 41 to provide the breakthrough. The South African team never really got into the game and were eventually bowled out. 

Verreynne scored 30 during the course. For New Zealand, it was Tim Southee in the second innings who bagged a five-wicket haul while Matt Henry and Wagner scalped a couple apiece. Kyle Jamieson returned with figures of 1/24. 

Earlier, the home side rode on some exceptional batting display to post 482 runs on the board. While Henry Nicholls struck a century, Tom Blundell missed out on getting one by just four runs as he was out for 96. Wagner (49) and de Grandhomme (45) also made some valuable contributions for the host. South Africa who batted first in the first innings, were all out for 95 after Henry picked up seven wickets. 













"It's not in South Africa's nature to roll over, had some work ahead of us. Just a clinical three days from everyone. Different guys stepping up at different times. It's the way we want to play, and we have played in New Zealand for a long time," Southee said after the match.  

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