South Africa shirked the opportunity to set a new Test record for a final-innings run chase as they played safely for a draw against India in a dramatic final session in Johannesburg.

The hosts reached 331-4 at tea and just needed 127 runs with six wickets in hand in the final session.

However, because this series against the team directly behind them at the top of the ICC Test Rankings is only of two games, the Proteas decided not to go hell-for-leather in the closing overs to avoid defeat.

Francois du Plessis (134) and AB de Villiers (103) began the final session close to their centuries and both went into three figures before losing their respective wickets.

If both established batsmen had still been at the crease for the final few overs, then South Africa may have gone for victory, but with only the tail remaining, they opted for the safe option and disappointed the Johannesburg crowd.

Dale Steyn hit a six off the final ball to end the high-quality Test with a bang, but by that point a draw was already the guaranteed outcome.

The second Test takes place in Durban between Boxing Day and December 30.