SA boosted by Hashim Amla ton

Amla made 106 not out as South Africa reached 325 for four by the close of play.u00a0The host nation were made to work for their runs against a determined New Zealand team on a slow pitch on which the batsmen seldom looked completely in control.

Hashim Amla yesterday. Pic/AFP

But an unbeaten century partnership between Amla and Faf du Plessis (69 not out), with some free scoring after tea, put South Africa well ahead. Amla survived on 48 when he cut hard at Trent Boult and Kane Williamson could not hold a sharp chance at gully.

Amla reached his half-century in the same over off 92 deliveries with his seventh four. The only boundary in his second half-century was the cut off Boult which raised his 19th Test century after another 95 balls.

Amla was involved in partnerships of 92 for the second wicket with captain Graeme Smith and 86 for the fourth wicket with AB de Villiers (51). Du Plessis took the majority of the strike in his partnership with Amla, facing 112 of the 173 balls the pair needed to add 102 runs, with Amla content to push the ball into gaps, taking ones and twos as he ensured he did not take risks on a day when lapses of concentration contributed to all four wickets.

Du Plessis had an escape in the first over of the second new ball with his score on 42 when a ball from Boult flicked his thigh pad and went through to wicketkeeper BJ Watling.