Boult bowled a superb, nagging opening spell of eight overs on the trot, conceding just eight runs and getting the first wicket. Both were dismissed within the next three overs though, failing to build on solid starts, leaving the Proteas on a precarious 41 for two.
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Boult leads the way for New Zealand was posted in Sports of TheNews International – https://www.thenews.com.pk on August 19, 2016 and was last updated on August 19, 2016.
The home side never settled at the crease after electing to bat on an unfamiliar surface which promised to be flat but ended up quickening and providing some swing in the first winter Test ever played in Durban, where previous Test encounters have come in the height of a sun-baking summer.
New Zealand captain Kane Williamson said he would have opted to bowl had he won the toss.
Boult gained some movement both ways on a slow but well-grassed pitch.
Earlier, Amla looked in great form as he stroked the ball all around Kingsmead to bring up yet another half-century, but he received little support from the rest of the top-order as Stephen Cook (20), Dean Elgar (19) and JP Duminy (14) all lost their wickets cheaply.
Du Plessis (23 off 84 balls, 3×4) was eventually put out of his misery when he drove hard at a full ball outside off by Neil Wagner, only to see Kane Williamson take an outstanding diving catch to his right at gully.
It will be a battle of inexperienced captains, with Faf du Plessis standing in for the injured AB de Villiers, who himself has only captained South Africa twice since being appointed midway through the series against England last season.
Elgar followed in similar fashion two overs later, driving at and edging a Bracewell delivery to Martin Guptill at second slip as New Zealand moved into the box seat.
Two balls later Bavuma missed a sweep against Santner and was leg before wicket for 46.
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For New Zealand, uncapped opener Jeet Raval has been included in the squad after a strong domestic summer for Auckland, while leg-spinner Ish Sodhi was recalled for the Tests against Zimbabwe, taking seven wickets in the second match in Bulawayo, and could well figure against South Africa.
