South African Test batsman Dean Elgar after the stumps on Day One of the first Test in Dunedin has described his century ‘hard-fought’ and further stated it was the toughest day of his Test career which is spread over 33 Tests since he made his international appearance in 2012.

However, the 29-year-old Elgar had shown the patience while adjusting to the conditions by showing the grit and how mentally tough he is as a player.

“It was right up there as one of the toughest days of Test cricket so far in my career,” Elgar was quoted by cricket.co.za.

As the stumps were drawn, the Welkom-born Elgar is unbeaten on 128 which included 22 boundaries in his splendid knock which came off 262 balls against New Zealand at the University Oval.

“We know it’s tough, whether we are 100/0 or 22/3, I am always going to approach the game the same,” Elgar said.

The visitors were 229 for four as Temba Bavuma was batting on 38 off 101 balls which included seven boundaries as both puts on 81 runs for the fifth-wicket.

“This game is a mental game and you need to use it in your favour. It worked out that it was one of those situations where you had to scrap it out and fight it out and not think about yourself,” Elgar further said.

While batting for over eight hours, to face the disciplined hosts’ bowling line-up which further saw 30 maidens from Kiwis’ bowlers when Elgar was out in the middle on the opening day of the Test match to smash his seventh Test hundred.

“Their bowlers are quality; Boult, Wagner and a guy who had a lot of success in the ODI series, Jeetan Patel. They bowled well on a wicket that didn’t really assist them too much, their discipline was very good,” Elgar said after the first day of the Test match against the Black Caps.

Elgar said the side is in a comfortable position at the moment by stating their spinners bowled well before adding one has to back on his own advantage.