New Zealand have inflicted South Africa's first ODI defeat in 13 matches after their bowlers held their nerve to restrict the visitors to 283/9 off their allotted 50 overs.
Making 289/5 in their batting innings, New Zealand struck early on with Tim Southee removing the prolific Hashim Amla before allrounder Colin de Grandhomme bowled a peach of a ball to remove Faf du Plessis.
Quinton de Kock and captain AB de Villiers steadied for South Africa as they looked to ramp up the scoring to match the run-rate needed.
They looked to have the number of the home side before de Kock holed out to Neesham at deep square-leg and Southee claimed the key wicket of de Villiers caught behind by some handy work by makeshift keeper Tom Latham.
With the run-rate rising quickly, a victory for the Blackcaps then looked a formality before some very good hitting by Dwaine Pretorius (50) and Andile Phehlukwayo almost stole the game at the end.
Earning man of the match with his 102 not out, Ross Taylor won all the plaudits on his way to becoming the fastest New Zealand batsman to hit over 6000 runs while also hitting a record 17 ODI centuries for a Blackcap.
Both teams now head to Wellington's Westpac Stadium where they square off in the third of five one-dayers.
Newshub.
