Will O'Rourke took two early wickets but South Africa have rallied on the morning of the third day of the second Test in Hamilton to be 88-3 at lunch, with a lead of 119 runs.
Left arm spinner Rachin Ravindra struck first when removing opener Clyde Fortuin LBW, with fast bowler O'Rourke dismissing Raynard van Tonder and skipper Neil Brand, the latter for the second time in the Test, in a fiery spell.
O'Rourke, who took 4-59 in the first innings, including two wickets in a row to finish, missed out on his hat-trick this morning but impressed with the pace and bounce he was able to generate.
Bowling at more than 140km/h at times, O'Rourke, on debut, had van Tonder caught at deep square leg by Neil Wagner and had the key wicket of Brand caught behind off an inside edge which keeper Tom Blundell did well to take.
South Africa, after dismissing New Zealand for 211 yesterday, were teetering at 39-3 but David Bedingham (34) and Zubayr Hamza (14) safely got them through to the break.
Ravindra got turn but was guilty of pitching a little short and Bedingham cashed in on the leg side.
Part-time offspinner Glenn Phillips bowled three overs before lunch - his first turn with the ball in the Test - and was expensive at first before finding a better line and length.
Opening bowler Matt Henry (0-3 off five overs) was economical but O'Rourke (2-17 off six overs) was the pick of the attack for the hosts who will be hoping to dismiss the Proteas cheaply as they push for the victory which will seal the series.
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