All-rounder Colin de Grandhomme struck a belligerent half-century to steady New Zealand in the second Test on Saturday after South Africa’s seamers torched the home side’s top order on Day II in Christchurch.

New Zealand were under pressure at 157/5 at stumps, 207 runs short of South Africa’s first innings total of 364.

De Grandhomme was 54 batting with Daryl Mitchell on 29, their unbroken 66-run partnership having halted South Africa’s march on a chilly, overcast day at the Hagley Oval.

“South Africa batted really well on a tough wicket,” Mitchell said. “For us now it’s about trying to put pressure back on them and see what happens tomorrow (Sunday).”

The Proteas, 0-1 down in the series, would be well pleased with their work. Pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada grabbed three wickets and Marco Jansen two, the pair rattling through New Zealand’s top order after South Africa were bowled out before tea.

“Tomorrow we’re just going to go hard, try to make them play as much as possible and try to force them to make a mistake because it is quite a good batting wicket,” Jansen said. “The plan is just to be as tight as possible.”

Rabada quickly removed both the New Zealand openers, with skipper Tom Latham caught down the leg-side for a duck, and Will Young nicking behind for three. Jansen reduced New Zealand to 51 for three, having Devon Conway caught behind for 16.

Mitchell lived dangerously through his 78 balls, surviving two lbw reviews off all-rounder Wiaan Mulder and a third in the final overs off third seamer Lutho Sipamla. In-form batter Henry Nicholls scored a fluent 39 but trudged off ruefully after hitting Jansen straight to a trap at backward point.

Brief scores: SA 364 (Neil Wagner 4/102, Matt Henry 3/90). NZ 157/5 (Colin de Grandhomme 54 batting, Daryl Mitchell 29 batting; Kagiso Rabada 3/37).