New Zealand's Neil Wagner found attack the best form of defence during his short but breezy innings against South Africa in Pretoria.

Black Caps import Neil Wagner has been accused of lacking courage by South African cricket star Dale Steyn.

Pretoria-born Wagner has been a central figure in the second cricket test between New Zealand and South Africa in his former home city.

There seems to be more than a bit of niggle between Wagner and his former countrymen.

PHOTOSPORT Dale Steyn has a word to Neil Wagner after dismissing him in Pretoria.

Wagner collected five wickets with some fierce fast-paced bowling for New Zealand and was then, predictably, on the receiving end of something similar when the Black Caps scored a paltry 214 in reply to South Africa's massive first innings total of 481-8.

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Wagner's approach with the bat was to go out all guns blazing, cracking 31 off 30 balls coming in at No 10.

That included pasting Steyn for three fours and a six within five deliveries before Steyn had the final say, getting the lefthander caught behind.

Steyn suggested Wagner would have been better playing a supporting role with dogged skipper Kane Williamson who had a chance to post another century but was eventually last man out for 77.

"He backed away and slogged away ... maybe didn't back away but stood and played the pull shot," Steyn said of Wagner.

"But if he wanted to be more courageous and brave he would have been 30 off 90 and watched his captain get to 100 rather than score 31 and walk off the pitch and say I've done my job. That's not your job.

"He gives his all but I would have tried to hang out there and even get 10 of 50 balls and see Kane through to 100, rather than walk off with 30 and think I've done my job."

The Black Caps had South Africa 105-6 in their second innings but with an overall lead of 372 with two days to play, the Proteas are firmly in control.

Steyn certainly feels there will only be one result.

"The longer the sun bakes the wicket and we get our bats into the cracks and just widen them up a little bit, it's going to be more difficult to bat," he said.