New Zealand’s bowlers failed to make the most of helpful conditions as South Africa reached 1-103 at tea on a weather-affected first day of the third cricket Test in Wellington.
After winning the toss and putting the tourists in to bat on a Basin Reserve surface expected to aid the bowlers the hosts had only the contentious wicket of Proteas captain Graeme Smith to show for their efforts.
Hashim Amla was 63 not out and Alviro Petersen was 34 at the break after an afternoon session extended by 20 minutes when a damp outfield delayed play until after lunch.
Captain Ross Taylor was quick to ask the visitors to bat on a surface that had spent much of the previous four days under covers.
Their sole breakthrough had a big element of doubt about it with Smith challenging a decision to give him out caught behind off Doug Bracewell in the sixth over.
There was no evidence of an edge in the video replay but umpire Aleem Dar’s verdict was not overturned and Smith, who brought up 8000 Test runs in his brief innings, trudged off shaking his head.
The attacking Amla, who chalked up his 23rd Test fifty, and the watchful Petersen were largely untroubled by the New Zealand attack.
Such was Taylor’s desperation that Dean Brownlie, back in the side after recovering from a finger fracture, was given a bowl with the wind just before tea.
But the medium pacer went for 15 in his second over as the pair added 90 for the second wicket.
The hosts made two changes to the side beaten by nine wickets in the second Test in Hamilton, bringing in batsmen Daniel Flynn and Brownlie.
South Africa were dealt a blow when star allrounder Jacques Kallis was ruled out with a stiff neck with JP Duminy taking his place. They also opted for pace over spin with speedster Marchant de Lange getting the nod ahead of legspinner Imran Tahir.
South Africa lead the series 1-0.