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New Zealand wins its first Test against South Africa in 18 years.

New Zealand hammered South Africa for the first time since 2004 on Saturday, winning the first Test by an innings and 276 runs in only seven sessions in Christchurch.

New Zealand have only defeated South Africa five times in 46 Tests since 1932, with their most recent win coming in 2004.

“It’s a terrific day,” an overjoyed skipper, Tom Latham, remarked.

South Africa, who were 387 down in the first innings, started the day at 34 for three and showed little ambition to chase down the target, losing their last seven wickets before lunch to be all out for 111.

Latham said winning the toss and sending South Africa in to bat was vital to New Zealand’s triumph.

The visitors fell in their first innings for 95 on a green wicket, with Matt Henry taking seven for 23.

A century by Henry Nicholls and a succession of 50-plus partnerships saw New Zealand accumulate 482 in reply and the writing was on the wall for South Africa.

“Fingers crossed we can sustain the momentum into the second Test match,” Latham added, with New Zealand targeting a first-ever series victory over South Africa.

They secured the win in their first Test since 2008 without two of their finest batters—Ross Taylor retired and Kane Williamson injured—and with strike bowler Trent Boult on paternity leave.

“It’s been a long time since we haven’t seen any of those three names who were crucial parts of this side, but I think it’s credit to the depth we’re creating,” Latham said.

A disgruntled Proteas skipper, Dean Elgar, could not explain the drop in performance after South Africa won a series against India last month.

“It’s something I’m trying to wrap my brain around,” he remarked.

But I do believe our energy was missing for the final two and a half days.

“We were thoroughly outplayed by a quality New Zealand side.

It’s incredibly irritating to be the captain when the ball is being struck (by New Zealand) on both sides of the wicket. You can’t establish a field for that. “

The visitors lost three wickets for just four runs at the start of their second innings, and as the Test continued into a third day, only the small Temba Bavuma and Kyle Verreynne provided any serious fight.

The 1.62-metre (5 ft 4 in) Bavuma, 22, batted 41 and joined in a 41-run stand with Verreynne until he was caught leg before wicket by Neil Wagner.

Verreynne perished in the next over for 30, caught in slips off Southee, who then soon got the wicket of Kagiso Rabada for nought.

The day began horribly for South Africa, with Bavuma’s overnight companion, Rassie van der Dussen, out on the second ball when Henry got the delivery to nip back, finding a space between bat and pad.

Zubayr Hamza, who top-scored with 25 when South Africa reached a meagre 95 in their first innings, only managed six runs from 32 deliveries when he flicked Kyle Jamieson to Daryl Mitchell at first slip.

The remaining batters—Marco Jansen, Glenton Stuurman, and Duanne Olivier—contributed 21 between them.

Southee ended with five for 35 as man-of-the-match Henry and Wagner claimed two wickets apiece. He is currently the top wicket taker on his home ground, overtaking Sir Richard Hadlee.

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