South Africa beat New Zealand by 62 runs to clinch the series

South Africa were right on money from the first delivery

South Africa defeated New Zealand by 62 runs and won the three-match one-day international (ODI) series by 2-1 at the Kingsmead stadium in Durban. They are now ranked three in the ICC ODI rankings, behind Australia and India.

After winning the toss, South Africa's captain AB de Villiers decide to bat first, Kyle Abbott and Kagiso Rabada were back in the Proteas side and New Zealand were unchanged.

The home team were off to a steady start, openers Hashim Amla and Morne van Wyk got their first 50-run stand. All-rounder Grant Elliot got the first wicket for the visitors as Amla gave a simple return catch to Elliot.

Rilee Rossouw got out cheaply next after getting lucky with a close run-out chance, caught at first slip off Ben Wheeler's delivery. De Villiers came in next.

The captain had a nervy start but didn't take time to come back into the game. He completed his 8000 career ODI runs and became the 28th player to do so.

Van Wyk got out after making 58 runs off 100 deliveries. David Miller and De Villiers looked solid and took full control of the South African's innings. Soon Doug Bracewell got the big wicket of De Villiers, he made good 64 runs off just 48 balls.

Adam Milne cleared Miller from the lineup, he left after scoring 37-ball 36 runs. Farhaan Behardien took charge of the innings later and smashed 40 runs off just 28 balls before South Africa were restricted at 283 runs in 50 overs.

Tom Latham and Martin Guptill came into bat for the Kiwis and Dale Steyn started the proceedings for South Africa. In the fifth over itself, Steyn found Guptill's edge and New Zealand were 18 for 1.

Next batsman Kane Williamson got life twice before Imran Tahir castled him with his googly, he scored a patient 39. Latham got out after scoring his half-century as Miller's direct under-arm flick at the stumps ran him out him.

After failing with the bat, David Wiese got his inswinger right as the inexperienced George Worker looked to drive and he got bowled for 21. Elliot played a 20-run knock before giving Rabada a straight catch off Wiese's delivery.

New Zealand were falling away, they were 5 down with only 152 on board. Luke Ronchi fell off Rabada's, courtesy Amla's catch. Tahir was again brought into the attack and he didn't disappoint as dismissed the lower order batsman Bracewell. Wheeler and Ish Sodhi survived a bit in the end but Abbott ended Sodhi’s innings in the last over of the match. The visitors were bowled out for 221 runs. The Proteas team must be relieved after the win after losing to Bangladesh previously.