New Zealand needed a further 264 runs to seal what would have been a record fourth-innings run chase for the Black Caps, and South Africa had to take eight wickets to win the opening test.
On balance, it must be said the visiting side was a clear favourite. But the way Ross Taylor (48 not out) and Brendon McCullum (58 not out) batted on Saturday evening offered hope for the home side.
Earlier, Jacques Rudolph had scored test century No 6 and South Africa declared at 435 for five, setting New Zealand a target of 401 for victory. By stumps on day four New Zealand was 137 for two.
Taylor was quick to remind the gathered media nearly everyone had written off the Black Caps' prospects before the test.
"It was disappointing not to have more of a lead after the first innings," Taylor said.
"But to be 30 runs ahead is a positive for us and we were still a chance [yesterday] if the rain was not there.""It would have taken some good batting. I think Brendon and I would have had to bat for a while to dent their attack. But we generally thought we were a chance.
"I would have liked the bowlers to have penetrated a little bit more, but hopefully we can do that in more bowler-friendly conditions in Hamilton."
As to whether there will be any changes for the second test in Hamilton beginning on Thursday, Taylor was tight-lipped.
"There could be a few changes but we'll just have to wait and see what is happening with injuries and what the wicket is going to be like in Hamilton."
The team will be announced today but Dean Brownlie has been ruled out, which means Rob Nicol will likely keep his spot. He looked far from convincing against the formidable South Africa attack, struggling to deal with short-pitched deliveries.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Kruger van Wyk could also hold on to his spot. He was solid behind the stumps and gutsed it out with a battling innings of 36 in the first innings. But he was included in the team only when BJ Watling was ruled out with a hip complaint.
Of the four seamers, Tim Southee is the most at risk. He struggled with none for 140.
"Tim obviously did not have the game of his life. He struggled a little bit with his action ... but we'll just have to wait and see what the team is going to be. Hopefully, if he does play, he'll bowl a lot better than he did in this match. He is a confidence player and hopefully he can bounce back from this," Taylor said.
There are no such selection dilemmas for South Africa and the captain Graeme Smith suggested his side was unlikely to make any changes.
"I don't think so. I think we will look to have a few good training sessions and look at a few areas we can maybe target ... that is something we'd probably look at more than selection."
Smith had more reason to feel thwarted than his counterpart Taylor and was quite gracious about the drawn test. But he also pointed out his side was in a strong position.
"Declaring at 400 with the way the surface was playing, it was always a possibility [we could lose]. We took that risk because we felt we were good enough to go on to win the game.
"If we could have picked up one or two [yesterday] morning ... particularly with the new ball around the corner, I think we would have been in with a shout."
