CAPE TOWN (Reuters) - New Zealand limped to 33 for two at tea on day two of the first test against South Africa on Thursday, still 269 runs adrift of the hosts who declared on 347 for eight.

New Zealand's Brendon McCullum plays a shot during the second day of their first cricket Test match against South Africa in Cape Town, January 3, 2013. REUTERS/Mike Hutchings

The Black Caps' second innings got off to the worst possible start when opener Martin Guptill clipped a leg-side delivery from Dale Steyn straight to mid-wicket in the first over.

Captain Brendon McCullum and Kane Williamson dug in to prevent the touring side from collapsing as they did when bowled out for 45 on the opening day, a performance described as a "humiliation" in the New Zealand media.

Williamson should have been out in the eighth over as umpire Ian Gould turned down a massive lbw appeal from Vernon Philander who took five wickets in the first innings.

Captain Graeme Smith's failure to call for the review proved costly as replays showed that the decision would have been reversed.

Two overs later Philander did call for a review for a caught behind, but replays were inconclusive and Williamson survived again.

Williamson's gritty innings did end in the penultimate over before tea as Jacques Kallis had him caught at second slip for 15 with the score on 29.

McCullum stood firm to reach the interval on 17 not out.

South Africa, resuming after lunch on 335 for six, looked to increase the run rate and AB de Villiers struck a fine off-drive from Chris Martin to the fence.

But De Villiers was bowled by Martin for 67 and the innings lasted just eight more deliveries before Smith called for the declaration after Robin Peterson had also been bowled by Martin.

New Zealand bowled better in the morning session and made the ideal start when Trent Boult forced Alviro Petersen to play on after adding just three runs to his overnight score of 103.

Early morning rain had cleared two hours before the start of play, but the ominous grey skies remained for much of the morning and De Villiers and Faf du Plessis had to survive an awkward period in which the pitch offered the seamers lateral movement.

The disciplined bowling from the Black Caps soon accounted for Du Plessis, whose test average of 146.50 after two matches took a hit when Martin had him caught at gully for 15 with the score on 281.

Dean Elgar received an ironic ovation from the home crowd when he made his first run in test cricket at the third time of asking.

The pair remained resolute in testing conditions, though, and the decision by New Zealand to take the new ball only succeeded in breaking the shackles as De Villiers brought up his 30th test fifty with consecutive boundaries off Boult.

Boult dismissed Elgar just before lunch when he edged a catch to wicketkeeper BJ Watling for 21.

(Editing by Ed Osmond)

• Please wait.

• Cycling: Wintry weather may force more Giro changes
• Cricket: Warner fined for Twitter outburst
• Garcia apologises for 'fried chicken' jibe at Woods
• Tomic will play French Open despite troubles - Woodbridge
• Winger Ioane faces fitness race for first Lions test
• Cheruiyot expecting first child, aims to return in 2014
• Ramy wins fiery battle of words and deeds
• Injured Murray withdraws from French Open
• Zhang Jike retains world crown to secure fourth major title in a row
• Joy for Thongchai after Match-Play woe