Christchurch policeman Shane Bond survived the Brisbane heat and helped New Zealand defuse a potentially explosive South African batting performance in the tri-series day-night match at the Gabba today.

The unbeaten Proteas were dismissed for 241 in the 49th over after Bond and Chris Cairns hooked into a batting order which threatened to reach 300.

South Africa lost its last five wickets for 10 runs, with Bond claiming 4-37 from 9.3 overs on the ground where he suffered heat exhaustion against Australia A less than two weeks ago.

The 26-year-old was sent to hospital and placed on an intravenous drip on a draining Brisbane day but he coped better today in more pleasant conditions.

He copped some punishment early as the South Africans cruised to 1-85 from 15 overs, with all-rounder Jacques Kallis hitting an excellent 65 from 68 balls in his first match since recovering from an ankle injury.

Kallis slapped Bond for four boundaries in one over, joining Gary Kirsten (43 from 63 balls) in a 115-run stand for the second wicket.

Vice-captain Mark Boucher (51 from 57) and Jonty Rhodes (44 from 54) took the baton from the pair but the Proteas lost their way after reaching 3-126 from 25 overs in excellent batting conditions.

They finished the innings as they began - opener Herschelle Gibbs was bowled from the first ball of the day - leaving the door open for New Zealand to claim the competition lead if they haul in the target tonight.

Key all-rounder Chris Harris (1-45 from 10 overs) played his usual role for the Black Caps after returning to Australia just two hours before the match.

Harris had rushed home for personal reasons after helping New Zealand unhinge Australia in Sydney on Thursday night, and he took the vital wicket of Kirsten today with a sharp return catch.

South African selectors left out Lance Klusener and the injured Allan Donald today, naming Justin Ontong and Steve Elworthy to ensure each player from the Proteas' 16-man squad had participated in the tournament.

© 2002 AAP