A terrible collapse from the Proteas spoiled a fantastic century from David Bedingham, as New Zealand fought back to finish Thursday’s day three on 40/1 in their second innings, needing 227 more runs to win the second test at Seddon Park in Hamilton.
Dane Piedt however gave the visitors a big boost at the close of play, with what was supposed to be the penultimate ball of the day, he got it to spin past the defence of opener Devon Conway (17), striking him on the back thigh to be given out LBW.
This will give the Proteas hope of defending the 267 target that they have set the hosts, which would be a record chase at Seddon Park, with the previous highest fourth innings chase on the ground 210 that Australia chased down against New Zealand back in 2000.
Opener Tom Latham (21no) will likely resume on Friday mornings fourth day with Kane Williamson at the crease.
Earlier in the final session Bedingham was brilliant for the Proteas, scoring his maiden test century in just his third test, with his 110 off 141 balls (12x4, 2x6) the bulk of the runs in the visitors 235 all out in their second innings.
A disappointing collapse saw the Proteas lose their last six wickets for just 33 runs however, which brought New Zealand right back into the match, giving them a chance of making two bits of history.
If the hosts chase down the score down it would be the biggest fourth innings chase at the ground, while it would also give them a two-nil series sweep and a maiden test series win over the Proteas.
The Proteas began the final session in a superb position on 186/4, with Bedingham and Keegan Petersen (43) taking them past the 200 run mark and moving their fifth wicket partnership to 98 runs.
It took a blinding catch to break the stand as Petersen tried to hit Matt Henry through backward point, only for Glenn Phillips to throw himself one handed to his right to take a blinder, reducing the Proteas to 202/5.
Bedingham went on to reach his hundred with a two off Henry, but Will O’Rourke returned to take three of the last five wickets, including that of Bedingham caught at gully by Phillips, who himself picked up two wickets as none of the last five batters reached double figures.
O’Rourke finished as the pick of the bowlers with 5/34, which gives him nine wickets in his debut test, while Phillips, 2/50, backed him up.
In the post lunch the Proteas resumed their second innings on 88/3 with Bedingham and Zubayr Hamza (17) moving their side over the hundred run mark and extending their fourth wicket partnership to 65 runs.
The introduction of Neil Wagner then broke the stand as he cramped Hamza with a short ball, which saw the batter pull the ball straight to Will Young at deep square leg, leaving them on 104/4.
Petersen then joined Bedingham, who reached his half century soon after, and they got stuck into the Black Caps bowlers as they took their team over the 150 run mark.
Both batters tucked into anything short, as Wagner came in for a bit of tap, as they cruised to the tea break without any trouble.
Earlier in the day it was a tough morning session with the Proteas losing their top order, but some counterattacking cricket from Bedingham and Hamza saw them go into the lunch break in a positive mood.
The Proteas were bowled out for 242 in their first innings on the second morning, and New Zealand were bowled out for 211 in their first innings by the close of play, which meant both sides almost started with a clean slate on the third morning as the visitors held a slim 31-run lead.
But it was a poor start to the second innings as Clyde Fortuin (3) was trapped LBW by Rachin Ravindra, while Raynard van Tonder (1) tried to pull a short slower ball from O’Rourke only to send an easy catch down fine legs throat, leaving the Proteas on 28/2.
Neil Brand looked in good nick as he struck six boundaries in scoring 34, but was removed by an O’Rourke delivery that jagged back in and took the inside edge, with keeper Tom Blundell taking a good catch to put the visitors in trouble on 39/3.
However that brought Bedingham in and he looked a lot more confident than he did in his first innings, when he took 102 balls to score 39, and along with Hamza they took the Proteas confidently to lunch.
NEW ZEALAND: Tom Latham, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra, Will Young, Tom Blundell (wk), Glenn Phillips, Matt Henry, Tim Southee (capt), Neil Wagner, Will O’Rourke
SOUTH AFRICA: Neil Brand (capt), Zubayr Hamza, Raynard van Tonder, David Bedingham, Keegan Petersen, Ruan de Swardt, Clyde Fortuin (wk), Shaun von Berg, Dane Piedt, Tshepo Moreki, Dane Paterson