South African skipper Faf du Plessis admits his side was saved by the rain on the final day of the series decider against New Zealand in Hamilton.
Not a single ball was delivered at Seddon Park on Wednesday after a sub-par Proteas showing in the previous day's action.
The Black Caps were in a strong position to level the series with the tourists 5-80 in their second innings, after leading by 175 runs in the first dig.
"From a team perspective we were still very driven in making sure we do whatever it takes to get through," du Plessis said.
"(But) they dominated this Test and deserved to have a crack at us today.
"It's a real fair assessment to say we've been saved by the rain."
Quinton de Kock (15) and du Plessis (15) were at the crease at stumps on day four, giving the Proteas some reason for hope, but the early removal of either batsman on Wednesday would've all but guaranteed a Kiwi victory and tied series.
Instead, the heavens came to du Plessis' rescue and gifted his side a 1-0 series win ahead of their two-month international cricket hiatus.
"From a team perspective we were still very driven in making sure we do whatever it takes to get through," du Plessis told reporters.
"(But) they dominated this Test and deserved to have a crack at us today.
"It's a real fair assessment to say we've been saved by the rain."
On the whole, du Plessis was pleased with only half his touring squad, which picked up two draws and coasted to victory in Wellington after the Kiwis imploded.
Morne Morkel re-established himself as a bona fide seaming star after a 14-month injury lay-off, while spinner Keshav Maharaj was the Proteas find of the summer.
Young gun Kagiso Rabada also goes from strength to strength.
But the South African performance with the willow was another matter entirely - particularly that of the openers and specialist batsmen.
Of the top seven's combined 39 Test innings on Kiwi soil, only 10 progressed past the 50-mark - and just the single, by Dean Elgar in Dunedin, hit triple figures.
"You're playing with your backs against the wall most of the time as a batting unit," the 32-year-old du Plessis said.
"That's a real concern for me and something we need to step up and be better at."
Nevertheless, the 1-0 victory on Kiwi soil hands du Plessis' Proteas the No.2 world Test ranking after series wins against Australia, Sri Lanka and New Zealand twice since August last year.
Tests against England, Bangladesh, India and Australia in next summer's campaign will also give them the chance to become world No.1.
