Hashim Amla struck 119 to help South Africa post 282-9 in the first innings of the second one-day international against New Zealand at the Bay Oval.
The Kiwis elected to bat after winning the toss, but their hopes of taking control early on were dealt a blow as Amla and Quinton de Kock made an impressive start at the top of the South African batting order.
De Kock would depart for only 26, but Amla was well supported by Faf du Plessis (67) and AB de Villiers (37) as the tourists scored at a healthy rate for long stages of the innings.
Amla would eventually be removed in the 45th over by Tim Southee, who joined Trent Boult and Mitchell McClenaghan in taking two wickets.
Disappointingly for South Africa, they struggled to add runs late in the innings as New Zealand fought back to prevent the total from passing 300, which was a score that looked inevitable at one stage.
