Play in the first Test between New Zealand and South Africa resumed on Friday after a fire alarm in the main grandstand forced the evacuation of the venue and halted play for about 30 minutes.
![Players and officials wait on the field after the main grandstand and public viewing areas were cleared by security staff .](/web/20170311070733im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/v/l/n/t/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.guvm00.png/1489123800841.jpg)
The alarm started going off at University Oval in Dunedin after tea on the third day with South Africa 14 for one in their second innings, still 19 runs behind New Zealand's 341.
Both teams were herded to the middle of the pitch about 5.10pm as sirens sounded, while spectators in the main stand and then on the banks were evacuated.
![A full venue evacuation of the University Oval.](/web/20170311070733im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/v/l/u/0/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.guvm00.png/1489123800841.jpg)
But soon after, everyone on the grounds was asked to leave, including the players, TV crew and media, support staff, and spectators.
Cricket writer Mark Geenty said the media were evacuated from the ground for about two minutes before being told they could go back in, after the fire department had checked out the grandstand and given it the all clear.
The fire service understood the grandstand fire alarm was caused by steam.
Play resumed about 5.30pm, with South Africa 1-14 in their second innings, and will be extended at the end of the day to make up the time, light permitting.
![Spectators evacuate the University Oval.](/web/20170311070733im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/v/l/u/b/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.guvm00.png/1489123800841.jpg)
Earlier, lusty lower-order hitting from Neil Wagner has helped New Zealand earn a 33-run lead over South Africa.
The hosts were dismissed for 341 on Friday, less than an hour into the post-tea session of the third day in response to South Africa's first innings of 308.
Keshav Maharaj was the best of the Proteas bowlers, taking 5-94 for his first five-wicket bag in Tests.
Vernon Philander returned 2-67, Kagiso Rabada 1-92 and Morne Morkel 2-62.
Wagner was the last man out, caught at point off Maharaj after smiting two sixes and five fours in his run-a-ball 32, while a limping Ross Taylor was not out 15.
New Zealand's innings was built around Kane Williamson's 16th Test century.
The skipper held New Zealand's hopes of making a big score and he did his best to haul in South Africa's total before he was dismissed when the score was 6-277. His 130 off 241 balls lasted more than six hours.
South Africa had delayed taking the new ball but when they did the extra pace outdid the skipper and he was caught behind off Kagiso Rabada.
His 16th Test century, off 195 balls, brought him level with Taylor and is now just one behind Martin Crowe for the most Test centuries by a New Zealander.
Contributions also came from Jeet Raval (52) and BJ Watling (50).
The morning session had started warm and bright, but the clouds came in and the temperature dropped after lunch.
That didn't stop a raucous crowd on the designated student back getting vocal, supporting people skolling their beers - many of whom were then evicted.
Morkel also got into the act, downing his water bottle on the boundary and then holding it over his head.
South Africa won the toss on Wednesday and chose to bat first. Their 308 was anchored by 140 from opener Dean Elgar.
Reuters and Stuff.co.nz
It just gets more bizarre. Cracking, dramatic day of test cricket, drinkers being evicted and now grandstand evacuated for fire alarm #NZvSA
— Mark Geenty (@mark_geenty) March 10, 2017
Full ground evacuation at the University of Otago Oval. Siren going off in main stand. Cause unknown. Protocols being followed #NZvSA ^WN pic.twitter.com/urpvkeuetc
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) March 10, 2017