There have been false dawns before, like when New Zealand toppled Australia in Hobart in 2011 and comprehensively outplayed Sri Lanka in the second test in Colombo last year. McCullum is only too aware those geneses haven't materialised. It's why he realises it will take a few more successes for fans to embrace the team fully.
"We certainly don't think that by winning this series all of a sudden everyone in the country expects us to be a world-dominating team on a consistent basis,'' he said. "What it does show is we are trending in the right direction.
"We can't underestimate how big a victory this is and, yes, it as a starting point but it's still important to realise that we looked the giants in the eye and were able to come away with success. That's a really good test of character and starting point to work from.
"We have had starting points before, like the win over Australia a while ago, but we haven't really kicked on from those. That's what the next challenge will be, to really ensure we use this opportunity we have now to develop and become more consistent and that's when we are going to get that real love across the board from the New Zealand public.''
New Zealand's chances of winning Saturday morning's (NZT) final game improved with news South African batsman Hashim Amla won't be risked in the match to help him overcome a thigh strain in time for the upcoming three-test series against Pakistan starting on February 1. Left-arm spinner Robin Peterson will also miss the game because of split webbing on his right hand but fast bowler Dale Steyn has been recalled to the squad and Dean Elgar was added as batting cover for Amla.
There's little doubt South Africa will be hurting and New Zealand will be confident. That hasn't happened too often in international cricket recently which makes the outcome of Saturday's game unpredictable.
