Day 2 Lunch South Africa v New Zealand

South Africa 1st Innings

			Runs	Balls	4s	6s
Smith	lbw	b Bracewell	1	5	0	0
Petersen		b Boult	106	176	11	1
Amla	lbw	b Franklin	66	74	9	0
Kallis	c Watling	b Boult	60	89	5	2
de Villiers	not out		61	119	7	0
Du Plessis	c Williamson	b C Martin	15	28	2	0
Elgar	c Watling	b Boult	21	52	2	0
Peterson	not out		0	4	0	0
Extras		1nb 2w 1b 1lb	5
Total		for 6	335	(91.0 ovs)

Bowler O M R W Boult 21.0 2 78 3 Bracewell 24.0 4 93 1 C Martin 17.0 3 53 1 Franklin 14.0 1 50 1 Patel 15.0 3 59 0

Fall of wicket 1 Smith 108 Amla 212 Kallis 255 Petersen 281 Du Plessis 335 Elgar

South Africa lead by 290 runs

All Dean Elgar had to show for South Africa's series-winning victory against Australia in Perth last month was a pair on Test debut. It was a tough ask, summoned to the tour late and expected to contribute to a series in the balance, and it proved beyond him.

At Newlands today, Elgar resumed his Test career in rather gentler circumstances: under bright blue skies and against a poor New Zealand side that is already out of the match after a disastrous collapse on the opening day.

Elgar could not take the opportunity. Five minutes before lunch, Trent Boult made one climb outside off stump and he edged it to the wicketkeeper. He walked off shaking his head, his prototype moustache accentuating a mournful countenance.

South Africa, resuming the second day with a lead of 207, added another 83 before lunch to confirm a position of draining authority, shepherded by a calm unbeaten half-century from AB de Villiers. Their lead was 290 and for New Zealand the rest of the Test was simply about trying to keep body and soul together as best they could.

It was difficult on a day like this, on a summer's day inviting pleasure and a Test entirely in command, for a South African player not to feel content, but Elgar will not be happy with his world.

Elgar, one of three wickets for New Zealand before lunch, did not have an impressive time. He got off the mark from his first ball, against Chris Martin, but he turned it through square leg from outside off stump in a manner that was not designed to build his confidence. It was a shot to get away with, be grateful for, and to build upon.

That progression never really came. His first boundary was a thick edge over gully, one hand flying off his bat as he flayed at a short one from James Franklin. He slashed again at another short ball in Franklin's next over and this time it escaped over slips. When he was 18, New Zealand could have overturned Rod Tucker's refusal of Boult's lbw appeal, but they chose not to review. Elgar never looked happy.

New Zealand's seam attack had been on the short side on the first day and their ground fielding had at times been deplorable. It would not take much to improve such standards and they did, removing Alvrio Petersen, a century maker on the first day, and Faf du Plessis in the first hour.

Boult needed only one delivery to account for Petersen - the first ball of the second over. He had added three to his overnight 103 when he played hesitantly at a ball that shaded back slightly and dragged on, a shot that had the feel of the morning after the night before.

Du Plessis fell to Martin, searching for a good-length ball and caught at gully. At 38 years old and after 71 Tests, Martin is aware that not too many more top-order batsmen will fall his way before he calls time on his Test career. Bare head glistening with sweat and thick white headband across his forehead, he bounded into the crease in the manner of a tennis coach at a private club, communicating fun and enthusiasm before having a knock-up with the members.

Batting conditions were generally untroubled but it is unlikely they will remain so when New Zealand bat again. There is uneven bounce about, particularly when bowling from the Kelvin Grove End, no more so than when Doug Bracewell struck de Villiers on the bat handle, causing him to rear back and throw his bat to the ground.

The strong winds which closed Table Mountain in the build-up to the game and cracked and crusted this Newlands surface could have the final say and, if they do, it will not be pretty for New Zealand.