Recap: Black Caps vs South Africa - first test, day 3 at Bay Oval

Tuesday, 6 February 2024

First test:** Black Caps v South Africa. Where: Bay Oval, Mt Maunganui. When: 11am Tuesday (day three of five). Coverage: Live on TVNZ Duke, TVNZ+, live updates on Stuff.**

Captain Tim Southee and his Black Caps put themselves in the box seat on Monday to potentially push for a three-day test victory over South Africa.

South Africa are scheduled to resume on 80-4 on Tuesday before a Waitangi Day crowd at Bay Oval, in reply to New Zealand’s first innings of 511.

Rachin Ravindra, 24 and playing his fourth test, was the star of the show with an epic knock of 240 on the second day.

Now it’s down to the home bowlers after Kyle Jamieson set the ball rolling with a double wicket maiden to make the early inroads.

Here’s all you need to know ahead of day three:

Umpire Richard Kettleborough signals South Africa’s Ruan de Swardt out during day three of the first test against the Black Caps at Bay Oval.

The forecast

It’s more of the same in the sunny Bay of Plenty on Tuesday. MetService predicts another stunner for greater Tauranga: cloud clearing and a maximum temperature of 26C.

The odds

No surprise the Black Caps are almost unbackable favourites. At the close of day two the TAB had the home side at $1.12 to win, with the draw at $5.85 and South Africa at $50.

The teams

Black Caps: Tom Latham, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Kyle Jamieson, Matt Henry, Tim Southee (capt).

South Africa: Neil Brand (capt), Edward Moore, Raynard van Tonder, Zubayr Hamza, David Bedingham, Keegan Peterson, Ruan de Swardt, Clyde Fortuin, Duanne Olivier, Tshepo Moreki, Dane Paterson.