New Zealand were bowled out by South Africa for 45 in what was the lowest Test match total in 39 years.
Vernon Philander ripped through the Kiwis to take an extraordinary 5-7 as the tourists lived to regret their decision to bat first on the opening day at Newlands.
Only Kane Williamson reached double figures with 13 as New Zealand crumbled in 19.2 overs against the number one-ranked Test side in the world to register the worst score in the format since 1974.
Philander struck in the second over as he claimed a wicket maiden, Martin Guptill's outside edged being snapped up by AB de Villiers behind the stumps.
Guptill fell for just one in an over which cost seven runs after De Villiers had given away four overthrows from Philander's first ball.
The home crowd only had to wait four more overs before Philander struck twice, cleaning up Brendon McCullum (7) with a length ball which removed middle stump.
Three balls later Dean Brownlie (0) looped a catch to Graeme Smith at slip and the tourists were in trouble at 14 for three.
Dale Steyn's following over cost nine runs as Williamson at least showed a little resistance.
Philander enjoyed an extraordinary spell with the ball
But Philander returned to remove him lbw for 13 as New Zealand finished the eighth over on 27 for four.
Philander and De Villiers combined to remove BJ Watling for a duck before Morne Morkel got in on the act to dismiss James Franklin, caught by Smith for one, to reduce the tourists to 28 for six.
When Doug Bracewell was bowled by Steyn for two, New Zealand were 31 for seven and looking at an embarrassing first innings total.
Jeetan Patel (5) was the next to go but was unlucky that his drive at Morkel went to the left of Hashim Amla at close mid-off and the South African dived low to his left to take the catch.
Travis Boult had contributed just one to the total when he was caught by De Villiers off Morkel and Steyn ended the rout when he caught and bowled Daniel Flynn for eight as the tourists capitulated for 45.
Philander was the star of the show with seven for five, including three maidens from his six overs, but Morkel's three for 14 and Steyn's two for 18 were also impressive figures.
In the two remaining overs before lunch South Africa lost captain Smith when he was trapped lbw by Bracewell to leave the home side's reply on three for one.