Wellington: Dean Elgar was again tasked with holding the South African innings together as they progressed to 100 for two on a disrupted fourth day of the first Test against New Zealand in Dunedin on Saturday.

At lunch, South Africa were 67 runs in front with eight wickets in hand.

Elgar, backing up from a first innings century, faced 112 deliveries for his 40, and survived one chance when dropped by wicketkeeper BJ Watling three overs before lunch.

It marked a sloppy session by New Zealand in the field.

JP Duminy, who was not out 32, had only made six when he was dropped by Tom Latham fielding at first slip in place of the injured Ross Taylor.

On 14, a four off Jimmy Neesham sailed just over the outstretched hand of a leaping Henry Nicholls.

Duminy was on 20 when he received his third life as an lbw appeal by Jeetan Patel was turned down.

New Zealand chose not to review the decision and replays showed the ball would have hit the off stump.

At that stage New Zealand had already wasted one review for a caught behind when the ball missed the bat, and they later lost their second review on a leg before wicket call when the ball deflected off the bat to the pads.

Hashim Amla was the only wicket to fall in the opening session and added one run to his overnight 23 before he chipped a Neil Wagner delivery to substitute fielder Tim Southee at mid-wicket.

The start of play was delayed nearly 40 minutes because of light drizzle and when it did start there were only four overs before bad light sent the players off for a further 15 minutes.

The forecast is for cold but mainly fine weather for the remainder of the day but with heavy rain on Sunday.