Any hopes New Zealand had of squaring the series against South Africa were slipping away after they went wicketless on a wind-lashed second day of the third cricket Test in Wellington.
South Africa overcame the news that key batsman Hashim Amla had emergency surgery after being struck by a delivery on the first day to reach 2-246 when bad light brought to a premature close another day hit by the weather.
Alviro Petersen was 96 not out, within sight of his third Test century, and JP Duminy, brought into the side after Jacques Kallis was ruled out with a stiff neck, was on 76.
The pair shared in a stand of 140 as New Zealand’s bowlers battled in the blustery conditions at the Basin Reserve.
Heavy overnight rain prevented play starting until after lunch and when bad light forced players from the field after 37 overs, there were 12 overs left in the day’s play.
The Black Caps had hoped to make early inroads into the Proteas’ batting line up after they resumed on 2-136, but all they had to show for their efforts was a sharp chance off Petersen spilled by Martin Guptill at second slip.
Petersen and Duminy were largely untroubled in adding 110 on a day which again was blighted by the weather.
The 31-year-old Petersen cut the last ball he faced to the boundary to go to 96 before umpires Aleem Dar and Richard Kettleborough took the players from the field seven overs after the tea break.
Doug Bracewell, who produced the chance off Petersen, was the most threatening of the New Zealand bowlers with 1-46 from 17 overs.
South Africa are unlikely to be able to call on Amla for the rest of the Test after he underwent emergency surgery on a groin problem.
Amla was hurt on the first day when edged a ball from Chris Martin into his groin when on 33 but battled through to 63.
He was taken to hospital after play and was operated on after suffering “blunt trauma”. He spent the night in hospital and was discharged on Saturday morning.
Team manager Dr Mohammed Moosajee said it was unlikely he will be able to take further part in the Test.
The Test has been blighted by weather issues after a damp outfield and bad light allowed only 42 overs on the first day.
South Africa lead the three-Test series 1-0.