New Zealand have set South Africa a target of 254 to win the first one-day international in Wellington.
Brendan McCullum and Kane Williamson's third-wicket stand of 79 helped the Black Caps creep towards a competitive score of 253/9.
Both players hit half-centuries as New Zealand tried to bounce back from a 2-1 Twenty20 series defeat.
However, it was not plain sailing for the skipper, who was twice saved by review after being given out lbw and caught behind respectively. He then survived a South African lbw review when replays showed that the ball hit bat before pad.
Jacques Kallis, who finished with two wickets, eventually took McCullum's wicket with Robin Peterson at deep cover diving to make the catch.
Lonwabo Tsotsobe, Morne Morkel and Robin Peterson also took two wickets for Proteas, who were unable to bowl New Zealand out.
