New Zealand vs South Africa, 1st Test at Mount Maunganui, NZ v SA, Feb 04 2024 - Match Result

6.10pm That's all we have from the Mount for the Test. Two stats before I go: the last time so many wickets (17 fell this game) fell to spin in a Test in New Zealand was back in December 2006 against Sri Lanka. And apart from innings wins, this is the second-biggest Test win for New Zealand in terms of runs. It's now a goodbye and good luck from me, Vishal Dikshit, and Ashish Pant, who is bashing out today's report here. Do join us for the second Test from February 13.

Presentation:

Tim Southee: Pretty good surface for the batters to set it up for the bowlers to take 20 wickets. The guys had great preparation three days before the Test, lot of focus on what we were trying to do. We knew they were going to come out fighting. When you come to the Mount you expect something different and some spin later on rather than early. Pleasing to see Santner come back to his rhythm, and Ravindra and Phillips contribute too. We got better as the Test went on, we were better in the second innings. We enjoyed this one, we have a few days before the next and we haven't played at that ground (Hamilton) for a while.

Neil Brand: It's very deflating. We gave them chances and who knows what would have been. Our patience was tested on this wicket, the guys got in and got themselves out. Back to the drawing board now and hopefully we can do better in the next Test. It's opbviosuly disappointing to lose wickets after breaks. We're raring to get back for the second Test. Six wickets was a massive honour for me but my currency is runs, so disappointed to not contribute there.

Rachin Ravindra is the Player of the Match: Feels good…in any capacity to contribute to team victory, how difficult it is to be out there for four-five days and get the job done. It'll (this knock) rate pretty high because of the time we spent out there and the partnerships we put out there for this win. (Was the subdued century celebration influcned by Williamson?) He's the influence so I guess that's how it turned out. (Will he share the award with Willimson?) Nah, not at all. He's got 31 Test hundreds for my one so I'm not giving that one. Any time you contribute to the win it makes you feel special. As long as you're giving your best you're made to feel you belong and it's driven well by the coaching staff.

Davind Bedingham: Quite upset I didn't score a hundred. We practised that kind of tactic (against the short balls) because the Kiwis do that quite a bit. I'm glad I stuck to it till the end. The first over Henry was bowling I was blocking and I thought one might pop and I might get caught so better to go after it. Also I like to play on my terms. I think this wicket is a lot different to the ones I played in India. If we get an extended run we can all be successful. From a batting point of view we can all take a lot out of Kane's innings. We don't bat like him but in terms of the application, even from Rav. If we can learn 10% from Kane, we'll all be better players.

5.45pm Santner takes three after bowling a long spell with the old pal and the hosts win by 281 runs. Handhsakes all around as the NZ players go off with a smile on their faces. They've taken the 1-0 lead in the two-Test series with a day to spare. South Africa might be slightly happy that they nearly took it to the last day but they will have to do a lot more to put up a fight against this full-strength NZ side.

The story of day four is that New Zealand declared overnight to set South Africa 529. Southee and Henry gave them the early breaks before Jamieson picked up two after lunch and then got rid of an attacking David Bedingham who was dispatching the short balls to both sides of the pitch with absolute disdain. As many as 17 wickets fell to spin in the Test, which must be very very rare for a Test match in New Zealand.

Two slips and a short cover

Last over before the new ball for Santner

One wicket to win, three overs for the new ball. Two slips and a short leg for Santner to Paterson