South Africa vs New Zealand 2017: 2nd Test, Day 1, 5 talking points

#3 Maharaj continues to impress

Maharaj is making rapid strides in the Test side

Keshav Maharaj is quickly becoming the steady, inauspicious spinner South Africa had been searching for ever since Paul Harris. The left-arm spinner picked up his maiden five-wicket haul in Dunedin and was once again right on the money here at Wellington.

Duminy was brought into the attack earlier than Maharaj but it was the latter who struck first with the key wicket of Jeet Raval moments before lunch. Raval pushed at a delivery outside off expecting it to turn, which it did not. The ball caught his edge and rested in slip's hands giving South Africa a crucial break before lunch.

Maharaj was taken off after lunch as Morkel and Rabada bowled to Nicholls and Neesham. The latter was severe on Morkel and punished him with three fours in an over prompting Faf to bring back Maharaj. The spinner struck again in his second over having the aggressive Neesham stumped to break another important stand.