Kane Williamson made 133 in an unbroken partnership of 152 with Will Young to lead New Zealand to a seven-wicket win over South Africa on the fourth day of the second test Friday and to its first-ever series win over the Proteas.
Williamson scored centuries in both innings of the first test which New Zealand won by 281 runs.
South Africa took a 31-run first innings lead in the second test and extended that to 267 when it made 235 in its second innings.
New Zealand reached 40-1 before stumps on day three, setting up a fourth day on which it needed a further 227 while South Africa needed nine wickets to win the match and save the series.
New Zealand’s total of 269-3 was its fifth-highest in a successful fourth-innings run chase.
The South Africa team is considerably under-strength as most of its leading players remained at home to play in a domestic Twenty20 league. Six Proteas players including captain Neil Brand made their debuts in the first test and the second test lineup had only 51 tests in total compared to New Zealand’s 436.
The South Africa bowlers made New Zealand grind its way to a victory. The winning runs finally came in the 95th over, about 20 minutes before the end of play on day four.
Williamson’s played almost a lone hand at first as he built his 32nd test century from 203 deliveries. He put on 64 for the third wicket with Rachin Ravindra who made 20 from 72 balls.
He then found a resolute partner in Young who stayed with him and was 60 not out at the close.
New Zealand was under pressure when Young came out to join Williamson at the fall of Ravindra’s wicket, still needing 150 to win. Runs came slowly for him at first as Williamson approached his century but then more freely and he reached his 50 from 118 balls.