The Proteas, fielding a second-string side due to a scheduling clash with the SA20, were heavily defeated in the first Test. Bedingham, who made his debut against India in the 2023 Boxing Day Test, is the only first-choice player to be included, having opted out of the SA20 to ensure his availability.

Needing victory to maintain their proud record of never having lost a Test series to the Black Caps, South Africa won the toss and elected to bat first, and put up a more promising display in Hamilton. Ruan de Swardt reached stumps unbeaten on 55 to keep their hopes of putting up a competitive total alive.

South Africa lost only one wicket in the final session of the day: that of Bedingham, and given the nature of his wicket, there will be frustration at what might have been had he survived. The No.5, who had battled to 39 off 102 balls, attempted to flick away Rachin Ravindra, but short leg intercepted the ball and threw at the stumps. New Zealand appealed half-heartedly, with the decision reviewed by the on-field umpires.

However, while replays showed Bedingham had regained his ground, they also revealed that he had hit the ball directly into his boot, rather than into the turf, and so he was out caught. Speaking after play, Bedingham explained how, while the New Zealand fielders were not expecting a wicket, he feared he might be in trouble from the off-set.

“I saw when they appealed they were taking it as a bit of a joke and then they asked me what I thought, and I thought, ‘I am not exactly sure’. It felt like it came straight off my boot.”

Bedingham, who made 87 in the first Test but is yet to make a century, was able to be philosophical about his misfortune. “These things happen in cricket. It’s a weird way to get out and a disappointing way to get out. There’s so many ways in cricket to ruin your day and that’s one of them.”

South Africa will start the second day on 220-6.