South Africa were firmly in control after New Zealand crashed to 45 all out on the first morning of the first Test at Newlands on Wednesday. South Africa needed only 12 overs to take a first innings lead after a sensational performance by their bowlers, led by Vernon Philander, who took five wickets. That the pitch contained no real demons was shown as South Africa reached 252 for three, a lead of 207, by the close, with Alviro Petersen making 103 not out. Hashim Amla made 66 and Jacques Kallis became the fourth man to make 13 000 Test runs on his way to scoring 60.

Philander had figures of five for seven from six overs as New Zealand failed to cope with good fast bowling on a well-grassed pitch after winning the toss. Morne Morkel took three for 14 and Dale Steyn two for 18.

Although the pitch gave some help to the fast bowlers, South Africa's free-scoring reply showed there were no devils in the surface.

Captain Graeme Smith was leg before wicket to Doug Bracewell for one to become the eleventh man dismissed before lunch, but Hashim Amla and Alviro Petersen shared a second wicket stand of 107.

Amla hurried to a half-century off 55 balls before he walked across his stumps and was leg before wicket to James Franklin. New Zealand, fielding a team hit by injuries and controversy, contributed to their collapse with uncertain foot movement against Philander, who stuck to his tried and tested method of bowling in a tight channel at a lively pace.