The cards may be stacked against them but Daniel Vettori is clinging onto the hope that New Zealand can bowl themselves back into contention in the third cricket Test against South Africa.

The tourists will begin day three on 2-246 after two weather-affected days and despite going wicketless on the second day Vettori remains optimistic they can find a way of winning the Test to square the series.

“Overhead conditions play a big part and sometimes days that are the best days are when it’s a big blue sky and the ball can swing here.

“Early wickets and we can put pressure right back on.

“Every test I have played here you can lose wickets in clumps so that’s our goal,” Vettori said.

Much will depend on what weather Wellington serves up after two days blighted by late starts due to rain and bad light forcing early finishes.

Alviro Petersen will start the day four runs shy of his third Test century and JP Duminy, playing his first Test since 2010, is with him on 76. The pair have added 140 for the third wicket.

Duminy did not rule out South Africa batting deep into the Test to deny the hosts any chance of levelling the series.

“It’s an option, I guess. We haven’t really discussed the plans going forward. For now we’re just pleased with the situation of the game.”

South Africa lead the three-Test series 1-0.