South Africa’s new fast bowling find, Vernon Philander, took four wickets on Thursday to choke any hopes New Zealand’s cricketers had of a reasonable first-innings lead in the opening Test match.

The hosts reached 9-243 to take a slim five-run lead over South Africa, who were earlier dismissed for 238 on the second day at Dunedin’s University Oval.

Trent Boult on eight not out and Chris Martin, who is yet to score, will resume New Zealand’s innings on Friday.

Philander (4-50) took two wickets in three deliveries after South Africa took the new ball six overs before the end of play to go with his two wickets earlier in the day and match New Zealand’s Chris Martin’s four-wicket effort.

Philander managed to get the ball to jag off the pitch at pace, and none of the New Zealanders looked comfortable against him.

The 27-year-old has 34 wickets from his first five Test matches, at a miserly average of 13.15.

New Zealand’s Brendon McCullum, who top scored with 48, said he found Philander incredibly difficult to face.

But despite losing wickets regularly through the day, McCullum said New Zealand, ranked eighth in the world, were reasonably happy to have parity after two days with the team ranked No.2 in the world.

He admitted he and skipper Ross Taylor (44) had played loose shots to be dismissed.

“We’d like to be further in front, but such is life,” said McCullum.

The only other batsmen to make an impression were Daniel Vettori (46) and debutant Kruger van Wyk, playing against his country of birth, who made a gritty 36.

South Africa’s fast bowler Morne Morkel (2-52) described Philander as a freak with unbelievable consistency.

Van Wyk, brought in as a late replacement for wicketkeeper BJ Watling, would have wanted to end the day still at the crease and New Zealand just six down, but became Philander’s first victim with the second new ball.

Southee (0) then departed, caught at first slip off his second ball, and then Dale Steyn (1-71) clean bowled Doug Bracewell (25) for his first wicket of the match.