Henry wreaks havoc as Proteas slump to 90-year low

Matt Henry produced a career-best 7-23 in a spectacular display of pace bowling as New Zealand destroyed South Africa's batting to dismiss them for 95 in two sessions on the opening day of the first Test in Christchurch.

Playing his first Test in eight months because Trent Boult is away on paternity leave, Henry wreaked havoc on a greentop at Hagley Oval, consigning South Africa to their lowest score against New Zealand.

It was also the Proteas lowest score in the first innings of a Test since the 36 they posted against Australia in 1932.

World Test champions New Zealand were 3-116 at stumps after 13 wickets fell on the bowler-dominated opening day of the contest.

Henry Nicholls was batting on 37 with nightwatchman Neil Wagner on two at the other end as New Zealand search for a big first-innings lead.

"Great to do it in front of my home fans, friends and family," Henry said after his figures equalled the 7-23 Richard Hadlee claimed against India in 1976 as the best in Tests in New Zealand by a kiwi.

It was also the joint third best Test figures by a New Zealand bowler overall.

"You pinch yourself a little bit when you hear those stats.

"It's not always going to go in your favour when you play the odd game here and there.

"It's not always easy (to stay motivated when not playing regularly). You try not to focus too much on those external things you can't control and make sure I am still in the mindset of trying to keep getting better and when I do get my opportunity, to take it."

Henry and fellow pacemen Tim Southee and Kyle Jamieson extracted considerable movement in the air and bounce off the pitch after Tom Latham won the toss and elected to field.

The visitors slumped to 4-44 by lunch, all caught by the wicketkeeper or in the slips cordon.

Henry drew first blood when he removed touring captain Dean Elgar for four in his first over and went on to dismiss Aiden Markram (15) and Rassie van der Dussen (eight).

Zubayr Hamza made 25 and Kyle Verreynne scored 18 but lack of partnerships hurt South Africa.

Henry dismissed Kagiso Rabada and Glenton Stuurman off successive deliveries but his wayward hat-trick delivery went for four byes.

New Zealand's openers did not find it easy either when they came out to bat, but South Africa's sloppy catching let them off the hook.

Latham (16) got a reprieve on nine when Marco Jansen floored a leading edge at gully and later Hamza dropped Nicholls at third slip when the batsman was on five.

Jansen dismissed Will Young for eight and Duanne Olivier removed Latham, but Devon Conway and Nicholls helped New Zealand eclipse South Africa's total with a doughty 75-run stand.

Johannesburg-born Conway made 36 in his first match against the country of his birth before dragging an Olivier delivery onto his stumps.

Latham is leading New Zealand in the absence of Kane Williamson who has been ruled out of the two-Test series with an elbow injury.