The New Zealand cricketers will want to take the last three South African wickets cheaply on the second morning of the first Test to ensure a remarkable turnaround is not wasted.

South Africa were reduced to 7-191 on a rain-shortened first day at the University Oval ground in Dunedin on Wednesday, with evergreen seamer Chris Martin removing three of their dangermen within four balls just after the tea break.

The New Zealanders will also not want to disappoint their skipper Ross Taylor on Thursday, who is celebrating his 28th birthday.

Still at the crease is the last of the recognised batsmen, Jacques Rudolph, who has a Test high score of 222, and rookie Vernon Philander, who can handle a bat and has a first class average of 26.63 and a high score of 168.

Martin said his team could take a lot of heart from their six-wicket session on the first day, but was wary of a South African fight back.

“The job’s not really done. I know that it’s just a little pocket of the game that we have played well in so far.”

He said it would be a long, tough series and the hosts, who are ranked eighth in Tests, are focusing on putting up a fight against the South Africans, who hope to claim the number 1 spot with a clean sweep.

Hashim Amla, South African’s top scorer on the first day with 62, also warned they were not finished with the first innings.

“We have had days like this before and come out on top.”

He predicted Dunedin’s conditions could suit the likes of speedster Dale Steyn, who can swing the ball.