Kirsten was the last man out for South Africa

Gary Kirsten's 21st Test century put South Africa in command of the first Test against New Zealand.

The veteran batsman, playing his 99th Test, was in brutal form, battering Daniel Vettori for two fours and a six off one over on his way to 137.

Vettori had his revenge, taking Kirsten's wicket as the tourists' innings stuttered late on.

New Zealand were 102-2 in reply at the close, opener Michael Papps hitting 50 and Scott Styris 16 not out.

Starting the day on on 279-4, the tourists steadily built their score on a slow pitch.

If we're still batting at the end of Friday's play then yes, we have a chance NZ coach John Bracewell

Kirsten did survive a scare just before reaching his century when Chris Cairns dropped a relatively simple catch.

But the tourists will be frustrated they did not make an even bigger score having lost Shaun Pollock (10) and Makhaya Ntini (21) to careless run-outs.

Kirsten survived the chaos until he was last man out, top edging a Vettori delivery to Papps.

Papps then set about frustrating the opposition with the bat after South Africa captain Graeme Smith fumbled and then dropped a catch with the debutant on one.

It was not a fruitless final session for South Africa though, as Pollock got Mark Richardson lbw for four, and Paul Adams trapped Stephen Fleming for 27.

And with the pitch appearing to begin to break up, South Africa's position could be further strengthened.

Umpire Russell Tiffin of Zimbabwe issued an official warning to strike bowler Andre Nel for running on the pitch late in the day.

New Zealand: M H Richardson, S P Fleming (Capt), M H W Papps S B Styris, C L Cairns, C D McMillan, B B McCullum (Wkt), J D P Oram D L Vettori, D R Tuffey, P J Wiseman.

South Africa: G C Smith (Capt), H H Gibbs, G Kirsten, J H Kallis J A Rudolph, N D McKenzie, M V Boucher (Wkt), S M Pollock, P R Adams M Ntini, A Nel.