New Zealand finished the day at 65-3, still three runs short on aggregate after de Villiers (83) and the tailenders had rescued South Africa from a perilous 88-6 and steared them to a total of 253 and an unexpected but very welcome lead of 68.
"I was disappointed with our batting because there were some soft dismissals, as there were in New Zealand's innings. But it wasn't easy out there and they bowled very well at us. Both sides have bowled well and we had our bowlers to thank for coming out with so much energy and making our small lead really count for us," de Villiers said.
Black Caps fast bowler, Mark Gillespie, who ripped the heart out of the Proteas middle order with four wickets in just six overs in the morning session before claiming another lunch to finish with 5-59, said that the names and reputations of his victims meant nothing to him.
"I don't care who I get out as long as I take wickets and contribute to the team cause. As long as you take wickets then you're going in the right direction," he said.
Richardson spent two years out of the game before this season and was unable to bowl because of injury. He said as many as five doctors had told him he would never bowl again and one had suggested that he "take up commentary for a career."
But he chose to "give it a crack" and "bowl through the pain" paying tribute one man in particular for inspiration: "One of my idols said that you are lieing if you are a fast bowler and you say that you are bowling pain-free." Asked that idol was, Gillespie replied: "He's here at the ground and he's not part of our team. You know who I mean."
It was, of course, Allan Donald.