The Tegel Test Series kicked off with New Zealand's Kane Williamson scoring his 30th Test century, his fourth against South Africa, and Rachin Ravindra marking his debut with a century, contributing to a 219* run partnership. Williamson reached his century in his 97th Test match and 169th Test innings, becoming one of the fastest to the milestone. South Africa, led by Neil Brand who won the toss and chose to bowl, had six debutants including Brand himself. The South African team managed to take early wickets, leaving New Zealand at 32-1 after 11 overs and 65-2 at one stage. However, dropped catches off Williamson at 26* and Ravindra at 118* proved costly. Brand impressed with his left-arm spin, but Williamson's innings of 118 and Ravindra's 169 overshadowed the debutant's efforts. Neil Brand, while batting, got a bottom edge and was dismissed by Kyle Jamieson, who is back from injury.
Gone! Neil Brand gets a bottom edge while attempting a leave - Jamieson strikes! #NZvSA
A 23-year-gap closed! Neil Brand, on Test debut, leaves an impression with his left-arm spin π #NZvSA https://t.co/KzSvjZlJ0H
Openers Edward Moore and Neil Brand have looked alright in the seven overs so far Kyle Jamieson, coming back from injury, is brought on #NZvSA
Five tons in six Tests now - Kane Williamson's going through a nice patch π― #NZvSA https://t.co/HQaYQMKJ3v
South Africa remove Kane Williamson early but not much after - Rachin Ravindra's batting 169 πhttps://t.co/xugsbQLZxX | #NZvSA https://t.co/PyZMithMN8
The hundred is Kane Williamson's 4th in Test cricket against South Africa and 30th in Test cricket overall. Follow play LIVE in NZ with TVNZ DUKE, TVNZ+, SENZ Radio and The ACC. LIVE scoring | https://t.co/W6fz0adYsU #NZvSA https://t.co/q4gil2pz9a
Ruan de Swardt finally gets his reward for consistent, tight bowling - and it's a big one! Kane Williamson adds 6 to his overnight score #NZvSA π https://t.co/xugsbQLZxX https://t.co/brTQ052t8H
Kane Williamson has to depart on the second morning at Bay Oval. His 30th Test century finishes at 118 having batted for 424 minutes. Follow play LIVE in NZ with TVNZ DUKE and TVNZ+ #NZvSA https://t.co/p2s9HWAaRh
Rachin Ravindra is living his dream when batting with Kane Williamson π€© https://t.co/Lot8H47zB4 | #NZvSA https://t.co/WneHLglvFS
Kane Williamson reaching the mark in his 97th Test match and 169th Test innings for New Zealand! Only Sachin Tendulkar, Steve Smith and Matthew Hayden have reached the mark faster in Test cricket. #StatChat #NZvSA https://t.co/3WJC8JevGl
What does someone who has just made their 30th Test hundred say to their teammate that makes their first just moments later? Let Rachin Ravindra take you to the middle with Kane Williamson at Bay Oval. #NZvSA https://t.co/KEZli94Ikg
Kane Williamson (112*) and Rachin Ravindra (118*) building a 219* run partnership to start the 1st Tegel Test at Bay Oval. Williamson's 30th Test hundred and Ravindra's 1st. Scorecard | https://t.co/nkOjuCrWmw #NZvSA https://t.co/Ca4EBMPe9b
South Africa dropped catches off both Williamson and Ravindra when they were batting 45 & 80 respectively - but it will be the centurions who'll resume their 219-run partnership tomorrow π https://t.co/xugsbQLrIp | #NZvSA https://t.co/WqKGB3iyHW
Test hundred number THIRTY for Kane Williamson! His fourth against South Africa and second at Bay Oval in Test cricket. Follow play LIVE in NZ with TVNZ Duke and TVNZ+ #NZvSA https://t.co/gS9AJReYeB
Positive first session for South Africa #NZvSA Three wickets would have been nice, but 65-2 aint bad.
South Africa remove the openers after electing to bowl; Kane Williamson digs in: 26* off 71 balls π https://t.co/xugsbQLZxX | #NZvSA https://t.co/cSF5J0YPvz
Latham and Williamson have been watchful yet solid in the first hour New Zealand 32-1 after 11 overs #NZvSA
We have Test cricket across the ditch and we have SIX South African debutants in action. One of them already has a wicket! #NZvSA Follow here: https://t.co/jxtAn17V0I
Six debuts including skipper Neil Brand for South Africa πΏπ¦ Kane Williamson is fit, Mitchell Santner will play his first Test since 2020 π³πΏ π https://t.co/xugsbQLZxX | #NZvSA https://t.co/SPS0FB9VaP
Six debuts including skipper Neil Brand for South Africa πΏπ¦ Kane Williamson is fit, Tom Latham will play his first Test since 2020 π³πΏ π https://t.co/xugsbQLZxX | #NZvSA https://t.co/ULibooWjC5
Toss: Neil Brand wins and South Africa will bowl first in Mount Maunganui #INDvENG
"Do your thing!" - Hear from Rachin Ravindra about his role in the middle order ahead of the start of the Tegel Test Series against South Africa tomorrow at Bay Oval. #NZvSA https://t.co/rNWoACnUJI