Port Elizabeth — Faf du Plessis and Dean Elgar piled on the runs as they guided South Africa to 505 for seven at tea on day two of the second Test against New Zealand in Port Elizabeth on Saturday.
The batsmen picked up the pace after lunch, with Du Plessis setting the tone. Cracking a six off the first ball he faced, he brought up his second Test century in only his fourth match.
He was given one life, on 69, when the ball brushed his glove on the way through to the keeper but the umpire gave him not out.
His hundred came off 202 balls and included 12 fours and two sixes and he combined with Elgar for a 131-run partnership Ä South Africa’s highest sixth-wicket stand against New Zealand at St George’s Park.
Elgar, who made a pair in his first Test, and 21 in his only innings in the Cape Town Test last week, played with more determination and struck some magnificent boundaries.
However, runs dried up after Du Plessis departed for 137, caught in the covers by Brendon McCullum, off a delivery from Colin Munro.
The other wicket to fall in the afternoon was that of Robin Peterson (eight) who gave Munro a second scalp.
In a slow morning session, the Proteas lost the wicket of Hashim Amla and added 65 runs after play got underway 15 minutes late due to some light rain.
The damp conditions made it difficult for both batsmen and bowlers and Amla added just four more runs to his overnight tally before he was out. Seamer Trent Boult was rewarded with his first wicket of the match.
Bowling well at the start and trying to get the outside edge, Boult delivered his first loose ball which was full down leg-side.
Amla should have put it away but instead edged it through to BJ Watling behind the stumps. His 110 runs came off 235 balls with eight boundaries.
Dale Steyn was at the crease, assisting Elgar, unbeaten on 91 at tea, in his efforts to reach his maiden century, with captain Graeme Smith expected to declare in the final session. – Sapa