Half-centuries from AB de Villiers and Morne van Wyk have helped South Africa to a 62-run victory over New Zealand in their one-day series decider in Durban.
With the series tied at one apiece, South Africa went about posting a sizeable target with an 89-run opening-wicket stand between Van Wyk and Hashim Amla, with the stand coming to an end when Amla (44) was caught and bowled off Grant Elliott.
Van Wyk registered his fourth ODI fifty before Elliott struck again to dismiss the opener for 58, but at this point, De Villiers was at the crease and he proceeded to hit a knock of 64 runs off 48 deliveries to take his side to 220-4 with 10 overs remaining.
David Miller and Farhaan Behardien added 36 and 40 respectively to move the Proteas to 283, despite New Zealand bowler Ben Wheeler contributing figures of 3-71.
The visitors were soon in trouble at the start of their reply, though, with Martin Guptill departing for 10 in the fifth over and the score only progressing to 102 off 23.5 overs before Kane Williamson went for 39.
Tom Latham made 54 but the Black Caps were always struggling, and the end result was almost inevitable when Doug Bracewell (13) was dismissed with the score on 187-7 off 41.4 overs, leaving New Zealand still requiring 97 runs off 50 deliveries.
Two more wickets soon fell to leave New Zealand on 201-9, and although Wheeler and Ish Sodhi held out for 25 deliveries, Sodhi eventually fell for five as Kyle Abbott wrapped up victory for his side with four balls to spare.
Darren Plant
