Durban - A much-improved all-round performance helped South Africa romp to a 62-run win over New Zealand, to clinch the series 2-1, in the third One Day International at Kingsmead, in Durban, on Wednesday.
After setting an imposing target of 284, the hosts began well with the ball with Dale Steyn steaming in hard from the start.
The Proteas spearhead removed dangerous opener and centurion from the previous game, Martin Guptill caught behind by Morne van Wyk for 10. The visitors fought back with a second-wicket stand of 84 between Tom Latham (54 from 74 balls) and Kane Williamson (39 from 59).
But when Proteas leg-spinner Imran Tahir threw down a magical googly the Kiwi batsman was clean-bowled.
That would prove to be the last significant partnership for New Zealand, and when Latham was run out by some good fielding from David Miller, it left the visitors on 114 for three. The wickets continued to tumble after that point as the Proteas dominated their struggling foes who managed 221 in their reply.
David Wiese returned the best figures with 3/58 in his nine overs. South Africa set the the tone with the willow as they posted 283/7 in their 50 overs.
Captain AB de Villiers top-scored with a blistering 64 from 48, before he was bowled by Doug Bracewell in the 41st over.
The innings, however, was setup by a first-wicket partnership of 89 between Van Wyk (58 from 100) and Hashim Amla (44 from 55) as the Kiwis went wicketless in the first 20 overs.
Van Wyk made the most of his luck as he was dropped at fine leg by Bracewell on 17 off the bowling of Adam Milne in the ninth over after a top edge.
In the very next over, Van Wyk played a much improved pull, this time over square leg off the bowling of Bracewell.
Another four followed off the inside edge of Van Wyk's bat to move South Africa to 49/0 after 10 overs. Amla was the first to fall for the Proteas in the 21st over with his side on 89.
The batsman attempted to whip a ball outside off through midwicket, but only succeeded in getting a leading edge straight back Grant Elliot for a caught and bowled.
Rilee Rossouw (6) departed cheaply and Van Wyk was next out as South Africa were reduced to 134/3.
The cause of the hosts was further strengthened by an 86-run stand from exactly 10 overs between De Villiers and David Miller (36 from 37).
Farhaan Behardien (40 from 28) also contributed with some lusty blows to the boundary with six fours and a maximum. Ben Wheeler, though expensive, returned the best figures for the Kiwis with 3/71. - African News Agency (ANA).