Tim Southee (3/22 in 4 overs) and Trent Boult (2/12 in 4 overs) bowled a deadly opening spell of swing and seam bowling to decimate the top half within six overs with less than 20 runs on board.

Centuries from Alviro Petersen and JP Duminy tightened South Africa's grip on the series, and although New Zealand responded strongly thereafter, they face an unlikely battle to level the series with two days remaining.