Oram's ton was a patient effort from the Kiwi number seven

A partnership of 92 between Jacques Kallis and Herschelle Gibbs at a vital time gave South Africa a reasonable chance of ensuring a draw.

After New Zealand had registered a first-innings lead of 50 by totalling 509, they then removed Graeme Smith and Jacques Rudolph early on.

But from 16-2, Kallis and Gibbs led the tourists into credit at the end of the fourth day with a gutsy partnership.

They ended the day 134-3, for an overall lead of 84.

Earlier, Jacob Oram had led his team from an overnight position of 361-7 to a superb overall total, especially considering their situation at one point on Friday, when they were 225-6.

It's a good wicket to bat on apart from a couple of craters at one end Jacob Oram

Oram struck 119 not out for his maiden Test century in his eighth appearance. His patient approach - he occupied the crease for a shade over five hours - paid high dividends.

Daniel Vettori also made a half-century, although the home team did not have things all their own way as Shaun Pollock grabbed the last two wickets in successive balls.

Pollock's figures of 4-98 allowed him to move level with Allan Donald as South Africa's leading Test wicket-taker on 330.

In South Africa's second innings, Smith fell to Daryl Tuffey for just five and Rudolph was bowled by Cairns for a duck.

But Kallis ended the day on 56 to add to his 92 in the first innings, and he capably helped along the way by Gibbs (47).

New Zealand: M H Richardson, S P Fleming (Capt), M H W Papps S B Styris, C L Cairns, C D McMillan, B B McCullum (Wkt), J D P Oram D L Vettori, D R Tuffey, P J Wiseman.

South Africa: G C Smith (Capt), H H Gibbs, G Kirsten, J H Kallis J A Rudolph, N D McKenzie, M V Boucher (Wkt), S M Pollock, P R Adams M Ntini, A Nel.