SA Labor in position to retain power

Premier Mike Rann is yet to claim victory in the South Australian election.

He began the day a supposedly beaten man, and ended the day supposedly a winner.

South Australian Premier Mike Rann appears to be on the verge of winning a third term.

Although the race was too close to call on the night, it was clear in the Labor camp that everyone thought he'd managed to get over the line despite a Newspoll suggesting the contrary that very morning.

Although the government has lost up to four seats, it looks set to return.

Mr Rann entered the Italian Club in north Adelaide at 10pm (CDT) on Saturday hand in hand with his wife Sasha amidst tears and cheers as well as chants of "four more years" and "three cheers for the premier of South Australia".

Despite the confidence of those around him he refused to claim victory.

"We are not claiming victory tonight, it is far to close to call," Mr Rann said.

Nor would Opposition Leader Isobel Redmond concede defeat, saying a hung parliament was still possible.

She said the Liberals could still pick up enough seats to cause an upset.

"I am not here tonight to concede defeat because in fact it looks at the moment that we have won four seats, possibly five tonight," she told party supporters.

"If we get that result, that will give us a hung parliament and it is possible we can still form a parliament."

But earlier in the day after a Newspoll showed the Liberals in front of Labor on a two-party preferred basis by 52 per cent to 48 per cent, Ms Redmond said she sensed the public was ready for a change.

Labor entered election day with a 10-seat majority, but a backlash against Mr Rann's eight-year government was expected.

And in recognition of that Mr Rann told the room full of the party faithful that it was time to claw back public support.

"I want us to commit tonight, win or lose to ... reconnect in a way that can reinvigorate what we're doing to ensure that we have a positive future for this state."

Mr Rann's campaign was dogged by controversy, not least the claims of a former parliament house waitress Michelle Chantelois that she had a sexual affair with the premier.

The premier has denied the allegations, and on Saturday night embraced his wife and emotionally thanked her for unwavering support throughout the sex scandal.

"If over the next few days we get the opportunity to say that we have won this election, it will be - given all that has happened, all that has been thrown at us - the sweetest victory of them all."