The Blackcaps have batted South Africa into submission on the second day of the first test against the Proteas at Christchurch, reaching the close of play with a lead of 353 runs.
A century from Henry Nicholls (105), and half-centuries to Tom Blundell (96) and Matt Henry (58 not out) saw the Blackcaps plunder an impressive 482 all out in their first innings, earning a lead of 387 runs over a shell shocked South African side, still reeling from being bowled out for 95 on day one.
Then, to start the second innings, the Blackcaps removed South Africa's top order, sending the visitors into stumps at 34/3 in reply, needing a miracle to even think of saving the game, let alone winning it.
Tim Southee (2/20) and Henry (1/13) did the damage with the ball inside nine overs, before South Africa's Rassie van der Dussen (nine not out) and Temba Bavuma (22 not out) negotiated through until the close of play with no further loss.
The day was another tick in the column for Henry, whose unbeaten half-century complements his figures of 7/23 on day one, the joint-third best for a New Zealander.
And with three full days still to play, and South Africa needing 353 runs to even make New Zealand bat again, the Blackcaps will consider themselves in the driver's seat to take a 1-0 lead in the best of two series.
Resuming at 116/3, and with a lead of 21 runs, night watchman Neil Wagner took the attack to South Africa to begin the second day at Hagley Oval.
Not known for his batting, Wagner unleashed a stinging series of shots off both the front and back foot, and dominated the scoring in New Zealand's fourth wicket partnership, alongside Henry Nicholls.
Wagner and Nicholls raised their 50-run stand in just 61 balls - with Wagner contributing 39 of those runs.
And after returning to the crease with his overnight score on 37, Nicholls batted on into the morning to reach his half-century in 80 balls, making the most of the chance to bat at No.4 in place of the recently retired Ross Taylor.
But one run away from his second test half-century, Wagner fell by picking out Rassie van der Dussen at deep midwicket, out for 49 at 191/4, ending his partnership with Nicholls for 80 runs from 107 balls.
Joined by Daryl Mitchell, Nicholls batted through to the lunch break with New Zealand at 235/4, 140 runs ahead.
Mitchell departed not long into the afternoon session, caught at first slip by Dean Elgar to give Glenton Stuurman his first test wicket, out for 16.
Nicholls, though, pressed on into the afternoon and raised his eighth test century - raising his bat after 156 balls, with 11 boundaries. But Nicholls also fell before drinks in the afternoon, as he too was caught behind the wicket, edging to Aiden Markram off the bowling of Duanne Olivier, out for 105.
The 30-year-old has made higher scores in his test career, but given the added responsibility with no Kane Williamson or Taylor in the side, Nicholls' knock easily ranks among his best.
Nicholls' exit didn't equal any respite for South Africa though, as New Zealand's seventh wicket stand of Tom Blundell and Colin de Grandhomme added a 50-partnership in just 56 balls to take the Blackcaps' lead over 200, and then 250.
De Grandhomme in particular was ruthless against a wilting South African attack, and raced to 45 from 41 balls. That aggression proved his undoing though, as he perished looking to clear the rope to raise his half-century with a six off the bowling of Aiden Markram, gifting the part-timer his maiden test wicket.
The Blundell-de Grandhomme partnership did more than enough damage for the Blackcaps though, adding 76 runs in just 84 balls, and took New Zealand to tea at 356/7.
And even after South Africa struck twice to remove Kyle Jamieson (15) and Tim Southee (4) after the tea break, the Blackcaps last wicket stand only continued to frustrate the Proteas.
Continuing on after his career-best day with the ball on Thursday, Henry again proved to be the thorn in South Africa's side, and added a 50-run stand with Blundell for the 10th wicket.
Henry played the ideal supporting role for Blundell, and reached his second test half-century in only 54 balls - hitting seven boundaries in a manner that defied logic from a No.11 batter.
But closing in on his third test century, Blundell was denied the chance to join Nicholls with triple figures, edging an innocuous delivery from Jansen through to Kyle Verreyne's gloves, walking off for a well-made 96.
Southee then struck with the second ball of South Africa's second innings, trapping Sarel Erwee in front lbw for a second ball duck at 0/1.
With first innings runs and wickets to his name, Henry continued his charge towards a man-of-the-match award, removing South African captain Dean Elgar for the second time in as many days, edging behind to Blundell for a duck, with the Proteas 2/2.
Aiden Markram came and went for just two runs, when he became Southee's second scalp, another to be caught behind, this time with Mitchell completing the catch.
Bavuma joined van der Dussen at the crease for the fourth wicket, and looked to be positive, hitting four boundaries in his unbeaten 22 before the close of play.
But despite South Africa stemming the flow of wickets in the final overs, the Blackcaps left Hagley Oval as the only side with a chance of victory over the coming days.
New Zealand will return to the crease on day three requiring seven South African wickets, while the tourists can only look to delay the inevitable.
South Africa 95 all out (Hamza 25; Henry 7/23) & 34/3 (Bavuma 22 not out; Southee 2/20)
New Zealand 482 all out (Nicholls 105, Blundell 96, Henry 58 not out; Markram 2/27).
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