Milestones lined a very successful day for South Africa at Newlands in Cape Town on Wednesday, when fast bowler Dale Steyn's 300th Test wicket and the 13,000 run of batsman Jacques Kallis' prolific career dominated the early stage of the series opener against New Zealand.

Seamer Vernon Philander was initially at the fore of the hosts' command, snaring a five-wicket haul inside his first six overs. Fellow right-armers Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel later completed the rot, sharing five wickets to have the Kiwis all out for 45 - their third lowest Test score.

Opener Alviro Petersen later graduated to an unbeaten century, and enjoyed solid support from Hashim Amla and Kallis, who scored 66 and 60 respectively. The latter's vigil saw him join an elite list of players to score more than 13,000 runs in the longest form of the international game, with India's Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid and Australia's Ricky Ponting afforded fresh company.

"The public have been fantastic to me. To get an ovation like that certainly means a lot to me, and these are very special moments that will live with me forever. The only thing I think about a little bit more now is management, perhaps missing a few of the one day games to prolong my Test career and to try to get to the next World Cup," Kallis said in front of his appreciative home crowd.

"So those are the goals I've set myself, but I certainly haven't thought anywhere near retirement yet. I'm probably batting as well as I've ever batted in my career, and hopefully I can carry on with that form for a little while longer and help win games of cricket for South Africa - or any team I play for."

Philander's participation in the match remained in doubt due to a hamstring injury until late Tuesday, when captain Graeme Smith all but confirmed his star new-ball bowler would feature 24 hours later. The 27-year-old obliged to the tune of figures of five for seven across a deadly six-over spell.

"Hearing on Monday that I was fit to play really spurred me on, and I always love playing at Newlands. It's my home crowd and my home venue, and this is where I love to play my cricket so I'm very happy," added Philander.

"We treat each game with respect, and we've got to start off fresh on Thursday. There'll definitely be a little bit in the wicket. I don't think it's going to be as easy in the second innings, so I think the bowlers are going to have to work hard and stay disciplined."