It left the Black Caps with an overall lead of just 109 runs as they try to protect their 1-0 lead in the series.

When the umpires called play off with five overs still to be bowled in the day, Scott Styris was leading the way for New Zealand on 41 alongside Chris Cairns on seven in possibly his last Test innings, amid speculation he is to limit himself to one-day matches after the South African series.

Only the prospect of rain forecast for the final two days can deny a result as South Africa try to protect a proud record of never having lost a series to New Zealand in more than 70 years of Test cricket.

New Zealand took the honours in the first session of play, capturing the last seven South African wickets for 79 runs to dismiss the tourists for 316, 19 runs ahead of their first innings 297.

But it was another poor opening partnership for New Zealand with Michael Papps again the victim of a dubious decision when given out leg before wicket for nought off Shaun Pollock in the first over.

Captain Stephen Fleming joined Mark Richardson and they grafted away for 42 runs, the highest partnership of the innings, when Fleming went for nine as he skied a rash hook shot to Andre Nel and wicketkeeper Mark Boucher took an excellent running catch.

Pollock came back to win his second leg before decision with Mathew Sinclair gone for 21 leaving New Zealand were 73 for three.

With all-rounder Jacques Kallis still suffering the effects of a side strain, Graeme Smith turned to Nicky Boje earlier than expected and the leg-spinner took Richardson for 37 and Brendon McCullum for three in successive overs to have New Zealand at 111 for five.

In a mesmerising spell of bowling, Boje took two for 40 from 21 overs, and Pollock had two for 31 from 15 overs, and New Zealand were again left to rely on the middle and late order that stymied South Africa in the past.