HAMILTON, New Zealand, Feb 14, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - New Zealand pace bowler Will O'Rourke tore through the Proteas' tail on Wednesday as South Africa were dismissed for 242 early on day two of the second Test against New Zealand.

In response, the Black Caps were 27-1 at lunch in Hamilton, with opener Tom Latham on 17 and Kane Williamson on eight.

The pair having survived a difficult period following the early departure of Devon Conway for a duck.

The last four Proteas wickets had earlier fallen for 22 runs in just 8.2 overs after they resumed at 220-6, with O'Rourke claiming three of them to finish with figures of 4-59.

On his Test debut, tall left-armer O'Rourke bowled both overnight batsmen, firstly removing fellow-debutant Shaun von Berg for 39, in the day's third over.

It ended a gritty 77-run stand for the seventh wicket with Ruan de Swardt, which had lifted the inexperienced tourists back into the contest late on day one.

Dane Piedt departed for four, caught behind off New Zealand captain Tim Southee, before O'Rourke bowled de Swardt for 64 and dismissed Dane Paterson for a golden duck to end the innings.

Conway's lean run of form continued when he faintly edged the fourth ball of the opening over bowled by Dane Paterson.

South Africa will be particularly keen to remove Williamson, who scored centuries in both innings during New Zealand's resounding 281-run victory in the first Test at Mount Maunganui.

The Black Caps must win or draw to clinch the two-match series and register their first series victory over South Africa, having lost or drawn the previous 17 dating back to 1931.