Kane Williamson scored a defiant century to ensure New Zealand drew the third cricket Test after six wickets from Morne Morkel threatened to win the match for South Africa on the final day.
Williamson hit an unbeaten 102 as the Black Caps ended on 6-200 after being set 389 to win.
He and Doug Bracewell (20) combined to defy the South Africa pace attack for 19.1 overs to save the match.
Morkel finished with 6-23 to give the Proteas a chance of winning the Test but a combination of Williamson and four dropped catches saw the Black Caps eke out a draw.
Williamson made his second Test ton and shared in valuable stands with Kruger van Wyk and Bracewell to prevent South Africa winning the series 2-0.
He rode his luck after he was dropped on 10 and 22 and had another catch that appeared legitimate ruled out when he was on seven.
The 21-year-old showed maturity and defiance after a Dale Steyn delivery early in his innings had him doubled over in pain and cracked his box.
Morkel took the first six wickets to fall and the hosts could call on only 10 batsmen after the 1.96m speedster broke the forearm of New Zealand captain Ross Taylor with a rising delivery on the fourth day.
After being reduced to 5-83 Williamson found a useful ally in Van Wyk before Morkel, who left the field briefly with a back complaint, plucked a sharp one-handed catch to end the wicketkeeper’s resistance.
He had added 80 for the sixth wicket and when he went left the lower order more than an hour to survive.
Bracewell, who had failed to score in his last three innings, was dropped by AB de Villiers with 11 overs left, the fourth spilled chance of the innings.
South Africa declared on 3-189 after De Villiers smashed a rapid 68 to add 114 to their overnight score in just 14.4 overs.
Morkel struck twice inside five overs, including the vital wicket of stand-in captain Brendon McCullum to leave New Zealand 2-26 at lunch.
He grabbed three more after the lunch, including two in consecutive balls with pinpoint yorkers and Van Wyk’s scalp after tea set up a nervous finish.
