New Zealand’s hopes of exploiting helpful conditions and running through South Africa have fallen flat in the opening session of the first cricket Test in Dunedin.

South Africa were 1-86 at tea at the University Oval on Wednesday, after being asked to bat by the hosts.

Rain delayed the start of the match but, after play began, the ball – to the disappointment of the New Zealanders – did not swing or seam and, despite having four quicks, left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori was asked to bowl after just 15 overs.

South African captain Graeme Smith looked untroubled as he cruised to 53 off 69 balls, including six fours.

Smith, who missed the last two one-dayers with an injured forearm, and Hashim Amla put on an unbroken stand of 52 for the second wicket.

Left-arm paceman Trent Boult, 22, playing just his third Test, made the only breakthrough when he had Alviro Petersen lbw for 11 when the score was 34.

Umpire Aleem Dar turned the appeal down but the New Zealanders sought a review and were rewarded.

It was a good comeback from Boult, whose first two overs leaked 16 runs but his five-over spell still cost 33 runs.

Opening the bowling with a stiff breeze at his back, Chris Martin and the other New Zealand bowlers strayed too much onto left-hander Smith’s leg stump and were milked for runs.

Doug Bracewell and Vettori managed to clamp down on the run rate in the post-drinks session.

Bracewell conceded just nine runs off his six overs.

But the first session belonged to the South Africans, who were sent in despite New Zealand skipper Ross Taylor earlier indicating he would have batted first.