New Zealand 211 and 40 for 1 (Latham 21*, Piedt 1-3) trail South Africa 242 and 235 (Bedingham 110, Petersen 43, O’Rourke 5-34, Philips 2-50) by 227 runs
At stumps, New Zealand were 40 for 1, losing Devon Conway off what turned out to be the last delivery of the day to Dane Piedt. With New Zealand needing a further 227 runs and South Africa nine wickets to win, the contest is evenly poised heading into day four.
Surprisingly, it took Tim Southee 36 overs to hand the ball to Neil Wagner, who was playing his first Test in almost a year. The experienced left-arm seamer took just five balls to end the 65-run partnership as an impatient Hamza holed out to deep square leg off a short delivery to end. However since Hamza’s dismissal, South Africa seemed untroubled, with Bedingham and Keegan Petersen stitching a healthy partnership.
Though Bedingham had played only three Tests prior to this game, the clarity in his thinking and approach – having gained from the experience of playing plenty of first-class cricket – stood out on Thursday. He played aggressively when necessary and struck at a good pace. In his 141-ball stay, he scored 12 fours and two sixes, playing almost a faultless innings.
Petersen, on the other hand, was good against spin and pace and ticked along nicely in the middle session. The duo put on 98 runs together for the fifth wicket, putting South Africa in a strong position at tea. Wagner’s short-ball ploy did not work for New Zealand as it became too predictable.
Just when it looked like South Africa were moving towards a winning position, Henry triggered the collapse, thanks to Glenn Phillips’ stunning catch at gully. A few overs later, Phillips, with his offspin, cleaned up Ruan de Swardt when he exposed his stumps attempting a sweep. But it was O’Rourke who delivered the key wicket once again when he dismissed Bedingham for 110. The batter cut away a back of a length delivery outside off, only to find Phillips at gully. The extra bounce on the surface and O’Rourke’s pace and accuracy meant New Zealand wiped out South Africa one hour into the final session.
