An unbeaten century from Alviro Petersen has put South Africa in command of their first Test match against New Zealand in Cape Town at the end of day one.

Touring skipper Brendan McCullum won the toss and elected for his side to bat first.

However, his nation lasted just 19 overs and only managed to record 45 runs before they were bowled out by the home team.

Vernon Philander was the pick of the South African bowlers, having ended with figures of 5-7.

In reply captain Graeme Smith (1) and Hashim Amla (66) were both dismissed lbw, but South Africa still went in for tea with a lead of 74 runs on 119-2.

At the resumption Jacques Kallis became the first South African to surpass 13,000 runs at Test level. He was dismissed soon after though on 60 runs when he was caught by BJ Watling.

That brought AB de Villiers to the crease and he was alongside Petersen when he reached his century with three balls left. Stumps was then called with South Africa 252-3 - a lead of 207 runs.

Petersen will return tomorrow on 103, while De Villiers has 19 runs to his name.