Associated Press

Hamilton, March 10:

Jacques Kallis fell eight runs short of a history-making century as South Africa reached 279 for four on Wednesday on the first day of the first cricket test against New Zealand.

Kallis continued a prolific run of recent individual scoring, making 92 before falling to a catch off the second new ball shortly before stumps.

He shared partnerships of 132 in 148 minutes for the third wicket with Jacques Rudolph, who made 72, and 60 in 86 minutes with Gary Kirsten, who was 31 not out in his 99th test at stumps.

Kirsten was batting with nightwatchman Paul Adams, who was not out on seven.

Kallis was most prolific in the second session, when the ball was older and when he and Rudolph put on 106 runs in 120 minutes.

But he became frustrated against the second new ball as Daryl Tuffey and Jacob Oram pinned him down.

His frustration led to his first rash shot, an ungainly hook, which saw a ball from Oram carry to Tuffey at fine leg.