Match authorities at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong canceled play at 1:25pm (0725 GMT).
South Africa, who made 248 in the first innings, rocked the bowling alley out Bangladesh for 326 and came to 61-0 in their second thump when awful light constrained an early stumps with 24.5 overs left to be knocked down some pins on the third day.
Openers Stiaan van Zyl and Senior member Elgar were on 33 and 28 runs individually, whittling down Bangladesh's first innings lead to 17.
The second and last Test of two-match arrangement will be held in Dhaka from July 30 to August 3. (AFP)