Rabada fires as NZ let South Africa back into the series

The tail wagged before Kagiso Rabada rolled New Zealand's top order as South Africa asserted themselves on the second day of the second Test in a form reversal after their crushing first-Test defeat.

New Zealand were 5-157 at stumps in reply to the Proteas' first innings of 364, which was inflated by a 62-run ninth-wicket partnership between Keshav Maharaj and Marco Jansen.

Colin de Grandhomme struck an unbeaten half-century from 36 balls, then blocked out several overs to be 54 not out when play ended in gathering gloom at nearly 7pm local time.

Daryl Mitchell was 29 not out in an unbroken partnership of 66 for New Zealand's sixth wicket.

"Obviously this match is very different from the first Test," Rabada (3-37 from 12 overs) said.

"We're competing and that's the way we're supposed to play. I think we're in a pretty good position here."

The second day belonged to South Africa, though the first session and the last hour of the day didn't.

The tourists resumed their first innings at 3-238 after gaining the upper hand on the first day but New Zealand took 4-60 before lunch to re-balance the match.

South Africa regained the upper hand when Jansen made 37 and Maharaj 36 in a partnership that lifted them to 364, better than par after choosing to bat after winning the toss.

The Proteas were bowled out for 95 and 111 at the same venue, Hagley Oval, in the first Test.

Rabada put South Africa well on top when he dismissed Kiwi captain Tom Latham in the first over and Will Young in the fifth to leave New Zealand 2-9.

South Africa-born Devon Conway (16) fell to Jansen and first Test century-maker Henry Nicholls (39) was out to the same bowler with New Zealand on 83.

It was then 5-91 when Tom Blundell was bowled by Rabada without offering a shot, before de Grandhomme and Mitchell helped avert further damage.