A record-breaking knock from Kane Williamson has led the Black Caps to a historic Test victory against South Africa in Hamilton.
Williamson scored an unbeaten 133, his 32nd Test century and third of the two-match series, to guide New Zealand to a comfortable seven-wicket win in difficult conditions at Seddon Park.
The victory secured New Zealand a 2-0 series win, the first time the Black Caps have ever defeated South Africa in a Test series after 92 years of trying.
A hot week saw the pitch provide sharp turn and at times steep bounce during New Zealand's run chase on day 4. Yet Williamson, always the man for a crisis, looked at ease throughout the day.
He started cautiously in the morning, easing his way into his innings, but picked up the scoring after lunch as the ball got older and the bowlers more weary.
He brought up his century not long after tea, easing legspinner Shaun von Berg for a single through point, even allowing himself to brandish a grin as he was congratulated by his batting partner Will Young.
The milestone saw Williamson become the fastest ever to 32 Test centuries, doing so in 172 innings, two quicker than Australian star Steve Smith. He also equalled Smith for the most Test centuries among current players.
Not one to get caught up in milestones however, Williamson marched on, while Young began freeing his arms to see the target whittle its way down to single digits late in the day.
Fittingly it was Williamson who scored the winning runs with a beautiful drive through the covers for four.
Having lost Devon Conway on the final ball of day 3, Tom Latham and Williamson resumed this morning with the Black Caps 40/1.
Latham had looked good early on, but fell softly, chipping spinner Dane Piedt straight to cover to be dismissed for 30.
Ravindra was watchful early in his innings as he looked to build a match-winning partnership with Williamson akin to the one the pair shared in Mount Maunganui last week.
The duo added 64 before Ravindra fell to the same trap as Latham, failing to get completely over the ball as he drove Piedt straight into the gleeful grasp of South African skipper Neil Brand.
Piedt was the pick of the South African bowlers again, with the offspinner looking dangerous as the pitch continues to deteriorate.
Young survived being given out caught behind off leg spinner Shaun von Berg, reviewing immediately, with replays showing the ball missed everything on its way through to the keeper.
After the tea interval, Young began scoring far more freely, and took charge of the chase after Williamson reached his century.
He got to his seventh Test half-century, and finished not out on 60. Together, he and Williamson put on 152 for the fourth wicket.
The Black Caps, disappointing in their first innings when dismissed for 211, made history by chasing down 267. The highest successful chase in Tests at Seddon Park prior to this match had been 212.
New Zealand also maintain their lead at the top of the World Test Championship standings.
Named player of the series, Williamson said it was all about doing his best for the team.
"Coming into today on a wearing surface, we knew we had to try and get partnerships together and credit to South Africa, certainly in the first couple of days outplayed us I thought and put us under pressure, and we had to fight our way out of it and change the momentum," Williamson said.
"I guess the mindset is just about doing a job for the team and keep that at the forefront of the mind. That was the plan today and Will Young played really well. Scoring was tough to come by and required a lot of patience."
Black Caps captain Tim Southee acknowledged Williamson's "absolute blinder" of an innings and said it was pleasing to be a part of the first New Zealand side to beat South Africa in a Test series.
"Every Test match tests you in a number of ways. To be able to come back and come away with the win is very pleasing," Southee said.
South Africa skipper Neil Brand was bitterly disappointed with the result, but said he couldn't fault his players.
"We were confident coming out this morning, and to be fair to our bowlers they left nothing out there. I thought Dane Piedt was outstanding, we just kept on trying and I can’t ask for any more from them."
New Zealand will now prepare for a T20 series against Australia starting in Wellington on Wednesday night.
Follow the Black Caps during New Zealand's summer of cricket on TVNZ+.
SHARE ME