South Africa prepared themselves to bat long, through rain disruptions, to make the most of New Zealand's bungled use of the review system on day one of the third Test in Hamilton on Saturday.

"We've got a long way to go to get a good total," Hashim Amla said after his 50 and an unbeaten 33 from Faf du Plessis helped the Proteas recover from a disastrous start on a rain-disrupted day in which only 41 overs were possible.

From being five for two in the fourth over, South Africa were 123 for four at stumps while New Zealand had blown their review opportunities.

"There is so much time left," Amla said with South Africa maintaining a win was still possible despite rain forecast for the remaining four days.

"We want to bat as long as we can in the first innings to get a really big score on the board to set the game up."

They have the advantage of knowing New Zealand have no reviews left before the 80th over which has already cost them the chance to remove du Plessis.

Just 13 balls after using up their second review they were powerless to react when the umpires missed a faint edge which should have seen du Plessis caught behind for 16.

New Zealand quick Matt Henry described the weather and faulty reviewing as "frustrating" but said the hosts were still satisfied with their day's work.

SCORES IN BRIEF

SOUTH AFRICA: 123 for 4 (Amla 50, du Plessis 33 not out; de Grandhomme 43-2, Henry 25-2)