The remarkable Kallis had hit 96 in the first innings before his 150*

Jacques Kallis became the second player in cricket history to score a century in five successive Tests, but he could not inspire a South Africa win.

Kallis made an unbeaten 150 as the tourists' first Test against New Zealand ambled to a predictable draw.

South Africa set the Kiwis 264 in less than two hours to win after declaring at 313-4 in their second innings.

Sir Donald Bradman is the only player with a comparable run to Kallis. He hit six tons in a row from 1936 to 1938.

Kallis's effort was all the more admirable for coming on a rapidly deteriorating pitch as South Africa made certain there were no final day wobbles.

Resuming on 134-3, a lead of 84, the only real chance of a result was if the Kiwis made a swift breakthrough.

But with Kallis, resuming on 56, building a century stand with Neil McKenzie, who made 52, it was clear early on there would be no decisive result.

The big South African batsman ensured there was some interest, however, as he continued his extraordinary run of form.

Having amassed scores of 158, 177, 130 not out and 130 not out again in consecutive home Tests against the West Indies, he came out to New Zealand knowing he had the chance to join the Don.

And he now has the chance to match Bradman's record of six tons in consecutive matches in the second Test at Auckland which starts on Thursday.

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.