New Zealand lost captain Ross Taylor to injury and Vernon Philander claimed three wickets as the hosts inched to 4-231 at tea on the fourth day of the third cricket Test against South Africa.

The Black Caps still need 43 runs to make South Africa bat again after they declared on 9-474.

Kane Williamson was 39 and Daniel Vettori was 6 while Philander, who now has 18 wickets in the series, had figures of 3-62.

Beginning the day on 65 without loss, the hosts lost three wickets in the opening session to struggle to 3-145 at lunch.

After the resumption Taylor was hit on the left wrist by a 138km/h delivery from Morne Morkel and received treatment on the field.

He faced one more ball before retiring hurt.

The 28-year-old, on 18 at the time, was taken to hospital for an X-ray. Dale Steyn had earlier struck him a blow on the hand with the first ball he faced.

His condition was not known at the tea break.

Williamson and Dean Brownlie combined to add 59 before he top-edged a ball from Philander to Steyn at fine leg.

Brownlie, playing his first Test of the series after recovering from a fractured finger, made 29.

Williamson, following on from his 77 in the second innings, looked assured in his stay and the hosts will be hoping he and Vettori can see them beyond the follow-on target of 274.

In the opening session New Zealand faced a hostile spell from Steyn and Morkel before Philander make the breakthrough to removed Daniel Flynn for 45.

He and Martin Guptill put on 86 for the first wicket – New Zealand’s highest opening partnership of the series.

Brendon McCullum fell to Steyn on 31 and Guptill went lbw in the over before lunch after a streaky 59.

JP Duminy dropped him twice in the gully off Steyn, and the same player also failed to hold onto a chance from McCullum, also off Steyn.

South Africa lead the series 1-0.