Hamilton, March 27 (IANS): New Zealand scored 321/4 at stumps, taking a seven run lead in their first innings on the third day of the third cricket Test match against South Africa at Seldon Park here on Monday.

Skipper Kane Williamson (148) and Mitchell Santner (13) were at the crease when umpires dislodged the bails for the day.

For South Africa, pacers Morne Morkel and Kagiso Rabada scalped two wicket each.

Resuming the day at 67 for no loss, overnight batsmen Tom Latham (50) and Jeet Raval (88) gave the perfect start but after adding 16 runs to the overnight score, Latham was dismissed by Morkel.

Incoming batsmen Williamson along with Raval then built 190-run partnership for the second wicket before Raval was sent back to the pavilion by Morkel with scoreboard reading 273/2.

Middle order batsmen Neil Broom (12) and Henry Nicholls (0), however, failed to step up to the occasion and could only add 20 runs to the score.

Rabada took both wickets in back-to-back overs to leave New Zealand reeling at 293/4.

Santner then supported Williamson at the other end and both batsmen forged 28 run partnership after umpires called off the day's play.