6:20pm Right. That will be all from us, folks. Hope you enjoyed our coverage throughout this series. Until next time, this is me (Shashwat) saying goodbye on behalf of Srinidhi, Sudeep and everyone else at ESPNcricinfo. Take care!
6:15pm There will be plenty of takeaways for South Africa, despite having lost the series. Bedingham's returns would have definitely pleased them, while Piedt, playing his first Test since October 2019, picked up eight wickets at Hamilton. There might be a sinking feeling of what if, given the strong positions they found themselves in at Seddon Park but this bunch of cricketers will certainly benefit from this experience, and will now know what it takes to win Tests away from home.
New Zealand, on the other hand, will be delighted with the result. They were not at their absolute best across the series but they have gotten the job done, even extending their lead at the top of the WTC points table. Their next assignment? Against second-placed Australia, starting February 29, and things are now set up beautifully.
6:05pm Well, New Zealand did it at a canter. At the start of the day, the game was very much in the balance. Williamson, though, did not put a foot wrong. He kept out the good balls, waited for his moments and attacked whenever necessary. His handling of the situation and the pressure was exemplary, and he found an able ally in Young, who finished unbeaten on 60. Don't forget the part O'Rourke played yesterday too in restricting South Africa to 235 in the second innings and giving the Kiwis a real shot at a historic run-chase.
As for South Africa, they will be gutted at having let this game slip. When Bedingham was going strong yesterday, they would have felt they could have put the target beyond the Black Caps' reach. It was not to be, however. The flurry of wickets late on day three was a precursor to an unimaginative bowling display today, and while there were the odd moments of bowling brilliance, it was just not enough to prise open the game.
END OF OVER:94 | 3 Runs | NZ: 265/3
- Kane Williamson129 (258b)
- Will Young60 (134b)
- Dane Piedt32-4-93-3
- Tshepo Moreki18-4-40-0
Here's Piedt again. Can New Zealand polish off the run-chase this over?
END OF OVER:93 | 4 Runs | NZ: 262/3
- Will Young59 (132b)
- Kane Williamson127 (254b)
- Tshepo Moreki18-4-40-0
- Dane Piedt31-4-90-3
nitin: "Williamson equalled the world record of test centuries in 4th Innings of test cricket...Congrats Champ"
New Zealand need just nine more runs to seal a 2-0 series win
END OF OVER:92 | 5 Runs | NZ: 258/3
- Kane Williamson124 (248b)
- Will Young59 (131b)
- Dane Piedt31-4-90-3
- Tshepo Moreki17-4-36-0
