Thrilling finale set up in Dunedin

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Brendon McCullum passed his 22nd Test half-century and shared an 82-run stand with Ross Taylor to set up a thrilling finale in Dunedin

A fine rebuilding effort from Brendon McCullum and Ross Taylor ensured all results were possible at the end of an enthralling fourth day of the first Test between New Zealand and South Africa in Dunedin.

Resuming on 268 for three, the tourists eventually declared on 435 for five, with Jacques Rudolph hitting his sixth Test century.

That left New Zealand facing the prospect of needing 401 to win - a target that looked all the more daunting when Martin Guptill and Rob Nicol departed.

However, McCullum and skipper Taylor shared an unbroken 82-run partnership to leave the Black Caps 137 for two, requiring a further 264 for victory.

Looking to build on their already-impressive lead, South Africa lost centurion Jacques Kallis early as he flicked Trent Boult to Nicol at midwicket.

But Rudolph, who had ended day three unbeaten on 13, was positive from the off and thrived, in particular, through the off side.

AB de Villiers looked solid, but, having shared a 70-run stand with his partner, fell for 29 attempting to up the tempo as he slog-swept part-timer Kane Williamson to McCullum at deep midwicket.

Rudolph was undeterred and, having struck Williamson for a maximum over long-off, brought up his hundred by powerfully sweeping Daniel Vettori for four.

With Mark Boucher and Rudolph on 34 and 105 respectively, skipper Graeme Smith - who had struck a century on the third day - declared to leave New Zealand facing a difficult chase.

Survival in the face of South Africa’s vaunted pace trio - Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Vernon Philander - was clearly the aim for Guptill and Nicol in the early stages.

But, on the stroke of tea, the former nicked Philander to de Villiers at slip while Nicol was struggling with a short-ball barrage from Morkel.

He appeared to have made it through the difficulty, only to depart cheaply to leg-spinner Imran Tahir, chipping a full toss tamely to Smith at mid-on.

However, the rest of the day was dominated by McCullum and Taylor, who showed plenty of positive intent to put South Africa on the back foot.

The former moved past his half-century and finished unbeaten on 58 while Taylor was 48 not out, with a thrilling finale set up for tomorrow.