Hashim Amla scored his maiden half-century to anchor South Africa's reply to New Zealand's towering total on the third day of the second Test on Saturday.
South Africa were 155 for two in reply to New Zealand's first innings of 593 for eight declared when bad light ended play in the 12th over after tea.
Amla, who played his last Test against England in Cape Town in January, 2005, was 50 not out. Jacques Kallis was 25 not out in an unbroken stand of 47.
Earlier, number nine batsman James Franklin put New Zealand in a commanding position with 122 not out, his maiden Test century.