His 110 off 141 balls came off the back of an 87 in the first match of the series at Mount Maunganui. After South Africa bowled New Zealand out for 211 on Day Two, securing a 31-run first innings lead, Beddingham came to the crease early when the Proteas slipped to 39-3. After surviving an initial tricky period, he put together a 65-run partnership with Zubayr Hamza followed by a 98-run stand with Keegan Petersen.

He reached his century off 127 balls, having hit two sixes and ten fours en route to the milestone. His innings came to an end shortly after, however, when he went after a short ball from William O’Rourke. Attempting to punch a chest-high ball into the off-side, he instead sent the ball straight to Glenn Phillips at gully.

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The century marks a vindication of Bedingham’s choice to tour with the Proteas Test side over playing in the SA20. Before he made his Test debut against India last December, Bedinham pulled out of the SA20 draft in order to make himself available for selection for the series in New Zealand.

At the time, he told reporters: “I took my name out of the [SA20] draft, so I can play in New Zealand. Shuks [Shukri Conrad, South Africa coach] just called and said there is a possibility and as soon as I heard there is a chance, that no-one from SA20 can play, I thought my chances of playing are probably quite high.

“So I didn’t even have a second thought. I told him I will take my name straight off the draft so I can hopefully play.”

“I’ve always loved Test cricket and I have always loved watching Test cricket. I always see it as a bonus if those things come up but my priority has always been Test cricket,” Bedingham said. “If those leagues come calling and I start doing well in those T20 competitions, that’s perfect but the main aim is always to do well in Test cricket or first-class cricket.”

South Africa named a second-string squad for the series in New Zealand due to most of their mainstream Test players being involved with the SA20. Six players made their Test debuts for the Proteas in the first match of the series, including captain Neil Brand.

The second Test in Hamilton is Bedingham’s fourth for South Africa. He made a half-century against India on debut at Centurion in December before returning two low scores in the second game of that series. While his 87 at Mount Maunganui couldn’t prevent a heavy defeat, his century this time has given South Africa a fighting chance. They set New Zealand 267 to win in the final innings, with two days still left to play. New Zealand lost Devon Conway from the final ball of the evening session, and will need 227 runs with nine wickets remaining when play resumes tomorrow.