A maiden Test century from South Africa's David Bedingham would help set a target of 267 for New Zealand to chase in the final innings in Hamilton.
Proteas stars Dane Piedt and Dane Paterson combined for eight wickets as New Zealand fell 31 runs short of South Africa's first-innings total on day two of the second Test in Hamilton.
The second Test between New Zealand and South Africa at Seddon Park saw Rachin Ravindra help limit the visitors to 220 for six at stumps on day one.
Proteas star Heinrich Klaasen reflected on his superlative 2024 SA20 campaign that saw him named Player of the Season.
An inexperienced South African side were beaten by 281 runs by New Zealand in the first of two Test matches in the land of the long white cloud.
New Zealand tightened their grip on the first Test against a weakened Proteas side at Mount Maunganui on Tuesday, after Kane Williamson smashed his second Test century of the match.