Kane Williamson completed his second century in the inaugural Test against South Africa at Mount Maunganui, pushing New Zealand’s lead past 500 at stumps on Day 3. The home team’s desire to keep piling on the runs meant they did not impose follow-on after bundling out South Africa for 162 in the first innings. They concluded the day at 179 for 4, with Williamson scoring 109 of them.

After New Zealand scored 511 in the opening innings, South Africa was heavily behind at 80 for 4. Despite Keegan Petersen’s brave performance, they lost three wickets for 47 runs in the morning session. However, Rachin Ravindra, New Zealand’s double-centurion, broke through shortly after lunch. Petersen pursued a ball that turned away from him, taking a leading edge along the ground. Williamson teamed up with Ravindra for the second time in the game, running back from midfield to complete the catch. South Africa were bowled out for just 10 more runs after reaching 152 for 8, far short of the host team’s total.

New Zealand, however, chose to bat again. South Africa made a bright start with the ball again, as Dane Peterson sent a one-length ball back into Tom Latham, trapping him leg first. Once again, South Africa was unable to make significant progress. Devon Conway and Williamson added a 92-run stand. Much to South Africa’s chagrin, Williamson received a reprieve in the second innings when Edward Moore lost a sitter at deep midwicket. He did, however, receive immediate atonement by catching a blinder in the next over, running in, and finishing the catch just inches off the ground.

Ruan de Swardt caught Ravindra at short cover for 12 runs, just when it appeared that a Williamson-Ravindra alliance would torment South Africa once more. Williamson, on the other hand, went on to score his 31st Test century at a rapid pace. Neil Brand, who took six wickets in the first innings, sent his opposite number packing on 109 with a flighted delivery on leg stump that Williamson charged but missed. When he was stumped, he walked back to a resounding roar of applause from the crowd. Daryl Mitchell and Tom Blundell sent New Zealand to stumps with a 528-run lead.

Brief Scores: New Zealand 511 (Rachin Ravindra 240, Kane Williamson 118; Neil Brand 6-119) & 179/4 (Kane Williamson 109; Neil Brand 2-52) lead South Africa 162 (Keegan Petersen 45, David Bedingham 32; Matt Henry 3-31, Mitchell Santner 3-34, Rachin Ravindra 2-16, Kyle Jamieson 2-35) by 528 runs