WELLINGTON: Henry Nicholls scored a counter-attacking maiden century before the lower middle order collapsed as New Zealand were bowled out for 268 after tea on the first day of the second test against South Africa at the Basin Reserve on Thursday.

Nicholls scored 118 and combined for 116 runs with BJ Watling (34) after New Zealand had been reduced to 21 for three in the 11th over and 73 for four at lunch.

The dismissal of Nicholls, however, sparked a collapse as the hosts lost three wickets for five runs with off-spinner JP Duminy taking all three before Tim Southee and Jeetan Patel produced a quickfire 44-run partnership.

Duminy then captured the final wicket of Neil Wagner for two to wrap up the innings and finish with 4-47, with South Africa needing to bat for about 30 minutes before the end of the day.