Chris Martin finished with 4-56 as New Zealand dismissed South Africa for 238 in their first innings before lunch on Thursday on the second day of the first cricket Test.

However, South Africa tasted early success when Vernon Philander dismissed debuting opener Rob Nicol for six to claim his 31st wicket in only his fifth Test and send New Zealand to lunch at 1-40.

Brendon McCullum was 18 not out, Martin Guptill 16 not out and Philander had 1-11 from five overs.

Martin claimed the wickets of Graeme Smith, Jacques Kallis and A.B. de Villiers with four balls on Wednesday to set in motion the decline of the South African innings, tipping it from 1-86 at stumps to 7-191 by the close of play.