South Africa fight to avoid first Test defeat in New Zealand

The weakened South Africans toiled for 28 overs before lunch on day four, with Zubayr Hamza at the crease on 31 and Raynard van Tonder -- one of six debutants in their side -- unbeaten on 26.

New Zealand are in a dominant position having declared their second innings closed at 179-4 before play began, setting South Africa the huge target of 529 in two full days' play.

With the Bay Oval pitch taking considerable turn, Hamza and van Tonder called on their powers of concentration in an unbroken stand of 57 after debut openers Neil Brand and Edward Moore departed inside the first four overs.