The Test in Mount Maunganui was effectively over after two and a half days, despite ending late on the fourth day.
South Africa could only manage 162 in response to New Zealand's 511. The Black Caps then added 179 runs in their 43 overs. The tourists set a target of 529 to win. On a wicket that posed no real threat to the batsmen, they stumbled to 264.
This may have been one of the least effective seam attacks in the history of South African Test cricket. Only three of the 14 New Zealand wickets fell to their main seamers, Dane Paterson, Tshepo Moreki and Duanne Olivier. Their gentle medium-pacers posed little threat and were responsible for 400 of the 690 runs (almost 60 per cent) that were conceded in the two innings.
In contrast, New Zealand's seamers took 11 of the 20 South African wickets. They showed tactical discipline that the Proteas trio could not match with sustained consistency. They rarely bowled loose deliveries and executed tailored plans expertly.
They were undoubtedly aided by batting that deepened concerns about the quality of depth in South African domestic cricket. Eddie Moore gently chipped the ball to cover, starting a chain of events that led to the downfall of several batsmen. Zubayr Hamza looped a pull to mid-on, Raynard van Tonder chased a wide delivery, David Bedingham fell while attempting to hit boundaries to a stacked leg-side field, and Keegan Petersen hooked a 125kph bouncer straight to fine leg.
Bedingham pointed out the defining difference between the batting sides, stating that there are many lessons to be learned from their batting. In the first two sessions of day one, New Zealand absorbed a lot of pressure and then returned it when South African bowlers were fatigued. The South African team was disappointed to only score 162 in the first innings.
Absorbing and exerting pressure is fundamental in cricket at any serious level, not just in Test cricket. It is concerning that a team with experienced first-class batters failed in this aspect of the game. Similarly, a first-class bowling unit should exhibit this level of discipline with the ball.
The standard of South African domestic cricket raises serious questions, especially as a training ground for Test cricket.
Winning the series was unlikely with a group of Test debutants and rookies. The significant metric was always going to be the gap between the standard of Test and domestic cricket, which appears to be substantial.
This lack of foot movement was evident before the New Zealand tour, particularly in Test rookies such as Kyle Verreynne, Tristan Stubbs, and Tony de Zorzi. Additionally, opener Sarel Erwee's technical weaknesses were exposed across his 10 Tests, and Wiaan Mulder has been unable to replicate his strong domestic performances despite being given numerous opportunities.
While there are exceptions such as Marco Jansen, Gerald Coetzee, Nandre Burger, Petersen, and Hamza, who have shown potential as competent Test cricketers, it appears that most graduates from the domestic game lack the foundation necessary for success in Test cricket.
It is worth noting that the aforementioned players got their opportunity in relatively experienced teams, while those competing in the New Zealand series do not have that advantage. They may still challenge my perspective in the second Test.
I hope they do because it will alleviate concerns about the quality of our domestic cricket. Currently, and based on the poor showing against an average Black Caps team, those concerns are significant.