Wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne posted an unbeaten century as South Africa set New Zealand a world record chase of 426 runs for victory in the second and final test in Christchurch on Monday.
Verreynne, who had failed to pass 30 in his five previous tests, found form when it counted as the ‘Proteas’ declared their second innings closed at 354 for nine on a sunny day at Hagley Oval, having all but batted New Zealand out of the game.
The 24-year-old redhead strolled off on 136 not out, with tail-ender Lutho Sipamla on 10 after captain Dean Elgar’s declaration brought the tea break early.
South Africa had resumed on 232 for seven after lunch, looking to build on a 303-run lead against a tiring New Zealand attack.
Kagiso Rabada took full advantage, hammering four sixes and four fours in a 34-ball 47 before he was caught slogging to long-on off the bowling of Matt Henry.
Kyle Jamieson dismissed Keshav Maharaj for four but Verreynne and Sipamla added another 32 runs for the final wicket to compound New Zealand’s misery.
Towering seamer Jamieson earlier had all-rounder Wiaan Mulder caught behind for 35, with wicketkeeper Tom Blundell taking a stunning, one-handed catch to break a 78-run partnership with Verreynne.
Marco Jansen added only nine runs in a 41-ball knock before slogging to the deep mid-wicket boundary where a charging Will Young lunged with a left hand and took another brilliant catch.
With the match slipping from their grasp, New Zealand threw away two DRS reviews, the first a speculative caught-behind appeal to dismiss Jansen and the second for lbw after Henry’s last ball of the morning session thudded into Verreynne’s pads.
South Africa made a strong start with the ball, having New Zealand on 94 for four at stumps.
New Zealand lead the two-test series 1-0 after thrashing the Proteas by an innings and 276 runs in the first meeting in Christchurch.
