South Africa lost two early wickets after lunch before settling down to 191 for three at tea on the opening day of the second Test against New Zealand in Port Elizabeth on Friday.
Coming out after the break, Graeme Smith and Hashim Amla resumed on 99 for one.
Shortly after reaching his half-century, Smith carelessly gloved a delivery from Neil Wagner down the leg-side into the hands of wicketkeeper BJ Watling for an easy catch. His 54 came off 88 balls and included eight boundaries.
Smith showed his frustration at having given his wicket away after he and Amla had added 92 runs together for the second wicket.
Jacques Kallis got off the mark dispatching a short ball from Doug Bracewell to the mid-wicket boundary for four. The next delivery was also short and this time Kallis smashed it along the ground, square of the wicket, for four.
His was also a soft dismissal, caught behind, without adding to his eight, although television replays showed Bracewell had stepped over the line.
The Kiwis missed a chance when Amla, on 48, went after a wide delivery from Trent Boult and was dropped by Kane Williamson in the gully.
Amla went on to reach his half-century off 92 balls and was unbeaten on 69 at tea. AB de Villiers was not out on 29. – Sapa