McCullum was the second debutant to pass 50

New Zealand recovered to reach 361-7 thanks to an 84-run partnership between Brendon McCullum and Jacob Oram on day three of the first Test.

Oram and McCullum, who made 57, eased the home side past the follow-on mark, frustrating South Africa after they had teetered at 234-6 on tea.

Test debutant McCullum went to a splendid catch from wicket-keeper Mark Boucher after he edged Jacques Kallis. Daniel Vettori ended the day 21 not out, while Oram was unbeaten on 49.

In the afternoon session, Scott Styris and Craig McMillan picked up the pace after a slow morning that saw with only 42 runs added.

McMillan was out lbw to Kallis for 19, but Chris Cairns and Styris shared a 51-run partnership before Shaun Pollock bowled Styris for 74.

Cairns edged Makhaya Ntini, leaving Oram and McCullum at the crease with the Black Caps still 26 runs from avoiding the follow-on.

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Opener Michael Papps was the only wicket to fall in the morning with Kallis claiming the scalp lbw.

Most of New Zealand's batsmen have fallen foul of lbw decisions, highlighting the low bounce and slow pace of the pitch.

The day began with minor controversy when match referee Clive Lloyd ordered a section of the pitch, which had been repaired overnight, to be restored to its original condition.

A small divot had been removed by fast bowler Andre Nel, who was officially warned for running on the pitch.

The umpires ordered the divot to be replaced and groundstaff used glue to replace the divot.

Lloyd decided that the repair was illegal and required remedial work to be carried out before play resumed.

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.