"It's been great preparation. Haven't scored as many runs as I would have liked but had a chance to hang out in the slips and relax a little bit. It's been good fun."
It also gave him the chance to reflect on New Zealand's performances from afar.
South Africa takes all the momentum into the test series after winning the one-day series 3-0 and the Twenty20 series 2-1.
"This is going to be a real test of us and if we want to do well we are going to have to play really well," Vettori said.
In some sense all the pressure is on the visitors. They are expected to win and win well.
There are five new players coming into the squad and, while the changes strengthen what was already a formidable side, they will have to adjust quickly to New Zealand's conditions.
That is perhaps coach Gary Kirsten's biggest concern.
"First game up, you have one bad session and you can get yourself into trouble very quickly," Kirsten said.
"We want to make sure we are ready from the start of the game and not caught napping and understanding that when you walk out on to the field it is only 13degC and getting used to those things. We certainly will spend the next two days spending a lot of time on that.
"We feel we have enough skill in our team to handle all different conditions. When I say we feel we have, well, if we want to be the best cricket team in the world then we have to handle those conditions."
If South Africa wins the series 3-0 it will rise to No 1 in the test rankings, overtaking England.
Vettori is not so certain South Africa is not already the best test side in the world.
"South Africa are playing good cricket and have the personnel to certainly be up there as one of the top teams in the world.
"If we get caught up in how good the South African team is then we will be in trouble.
"We know if we can play well that we can beat them and we have to have that mindset. When you're coming up against one of the best teams in the world, then that is the attitude you have to take."
Vettori said the University Oval had been kind to him "apart for a 99" he scored against Pakistan at the University Oval in November 2009.
"I enjoy bowling here, even with the shortish boundaries. It has been a wicket which New Zealand has enjoyed. We had a great test match victory against Pakistan who had an exceptional bowling attack as well and we did well against the West Indies before rain came along."
With Vettori, captain Ross Taylor and experienced seamer Chris Martin returning to bolster the Black Caps line-up for the test series, the home side will feel it can turn around what has be a difficult series.
"I don't think the the spirits need lifting, it is about bringing some experience back into the side and guys who have played a lot of games, particularly on the bowling front with Chris and myself and the batting with Rosco coming back in. So that makes a huge
difference when you bring in close to 200 tests. I'm sure that is going to help."
Central Districts wicketkeeper Kruger van Wyk has been added to the Black Caps squad as cover for BJ Watling.
"Watling has been suffering from some irritation around his hip joint," team physiotherapist Paul Close said.
"We're monitoring it closely and will know more in the next 24 hours, after he has completed training and had time to rest."
