Paceman Kagiso Rabada grabbed two early wickets as New Zealand struggled to 30 for two at tea on day two of the second Test in reply to South Africa's first innings total of 364 in Christchurch on Saturday, Reuters reports.
Rabada had New Zealand skipper Tom Latham caught down the leg-side for a duck, then Will Young nick behind for three as the tourists finished on top of the second session on an overcast and chilly day at Hagley Oval.
New Zealand number three Devon Conway was five not out, with Henry Nicholls on 17.
South Africa resumed on 298 for seven after lunch after New Zealand's seamers dominated the morning session, but tailenders Marco Jansen and Keshav Maharaj wrested back the momentum for the tourists, with a stout 62-run partnership for the ninth wicket.
Jansen fought an entertaining battle with Neil Wagner and ultimately won it, slogging the fiery pacer repeatedly to the fence and strolling off the ground unbeaten after a classy knock of 37 from 51 balls.
It took towering seamer Kyle Jamieson to make the breakthrough, removing Maharaj for 36 when the spinner tried to clear the gully but was well caught by Nicholls.
Jamieson wrapped up the innings quickly with a short ball that Lutho Sipamla parried to the slips to be out for a duck.
Wagner finished the pick of New Zealand's bowlers with 4-102, after dismissing Rassie van der Dussen (35) and all-rounder Wiaan Mulder (14) in the morning.
He and Matt Henry, who removed Temba Bavuma (29) and wicket-keeper Kyle Verreynne (4), put the brakes on South Africa's innings after the Proteas started the day in a position of strength at 238 for three.
New Zealand lead the series 1-0 after thrashing the Proteas by an innings and 276 runs in the first meeting in Christchurch last week.
While a draw will be enough for New Zealand to claim their first ever series win over South Africa, victory would see the Black Caps dislodge Australia as the world's number one Test side, while shoring up their World Test Championship defence with maximum points.
