Wellington: Vernon Philander took 6 for 81 to help South Africa dismiss New Zealand for 275 - one run more than their follow-on target - on the fourth day of the third Test on Monday.
Philander stirred memories of cricket's distant past when reached his 50th Test wicket in only his seventh match, quicker than any player in 116 years. He passed the milestone more quickly than all but one player in the history of Tests.
South Africa raced to 75 without loss in 15 overs before stumps, with Alviro Petersen 38 not out and Graeme Smith on 34, to hold an overall lead of 274 with 98 overs remaining on Tuesday's final day.
South Africa lead the three-match series 1-0 after winning the second Test at Hamilton by nine wickets.
Philander's rush to 50 wickets emulated the feats of a much earlier era of Test cricket.
Charlie "Terror" Turner achieved the milestone feat in his sixth Test for Australia in 1888 and went on to take 101 wickets in 17 Tests at an average of 16.
Tom Richardson of England claimed his 50th wicket in his seventh Test in 1896 and Philander matched his mark on Monday, though in a much shorter timeframe.
Richardson took two years, 303 days to play seven Tests; Philander has done so in only four months. He has also maintained an average that challenges Turner's and those of the best players in the game.
He has taken 21 wickets in the current three-Test series against New Zealand at an average of 14 and 51 wickets in his career at only 13.8.
South Africa are now in a strong position to declare early on the final day and to give Philander a further shot at New Zealand's batting lineup, depleted by Taylor's loss.
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