NZ vs SA Scorecard, 2nd Test Highlights 2024: Kane Williamson, Will O'Rourke guide New Zealand to their first Test series win vs South Africa

Ace batter Kane Williamson led New Zealand to a commanding seven-wicket victory against South Africa in the second and final match. Kane Williamson’s exceptional century played a pivotal role in securing the win with a day remaining in the second Test match.

The Black Caps completed the run chase in the fourth innings of the match at Seddon Park in Hamilton. The home team clinched their first-ever Test series victory against the Proteas. Notably, the Kiwis registered a 281-run victory during the series opener.

Young New Zealand seamer Will O’Rourke was named Player of the Match for his brilliant bowling display in both innings. O’Rourke recorded nine wickets in his maiden Test appearance, including his first five-wicket haul in the second innings of the recent match.

Will O’Rourke Takes Four Wickets In First Innings

The South African team managed to score just 242 runs after opting to bat first. Matt Henry provided an early breakthrough for the Black Caps, dismissing opener Clyde Fortuin for a duck. Skipper Neil Brand scored 25 runs before being dismissed by Will O’Rourke.

Raynard van Tonder (32), Zubayr Hamza (20), and David Bedingham (39) got off to decent starts but failed to convert them into big scores, resulting in a collapse to 150/6. However, Ruan de Swardt (64) and Shaun von Berg (38) added 77 runs for the seventh wicket.

Will O’Rourke, who replaced Kyle Jamieson in the playing XI, ended with figures of 4/59. He dismissed Neil Brand, Shaun von Berg, Ruan de Swardt, and Dane Paterson. O’Rourke also picked up two wickets off consecutive deliveries to bowl out the opposition team.

Dane Piedt Bags Five Wicket Haul In First Innings

Off-spinner Dane Piedt claimed five wickets in the first innings to bowl out the New Zealand team for just 211 runs. Kane Williamson scored 43 runs before being dismissed by Dane Piedt. New Zealand collapsed from 145/3, conceding a 31-run lead to the Proteas.

David Bedingham Scores Memorable Test Hundred

During the second innings, the visiting team lost three wickets for just 39 runs. David Bedingham steadied the innings with a 98-run partnership with Keegan Petersen for the fifth wicket. Bedingham scored a memorable hundred, reaching 110 runs off 141 deliveries.

Matt Henry broke the partnership by removing Keegan Petersen, who scored 43 runs. The Proteas collapsed from 213-5 to a total of 235 all out. Will O’Rourke was instrumental in this collapse, claiming five wickets for 89 runs in the second innings in nearly 33 overs.

Kane Williamson Smashes 32nd Hundred In Test Cricket

New Zealand suffered an early setback with the dismissal of Devon Conway on Day 3. Tom Latham was dismissed for 30 runs, leaving the home team at 53-2. Kane Williamson added a critical 64-run partnership with Rachin Ravindra for the third wicket in the chase.

Kane Williamson anchored the run chase and reached his 32nd hundred in Test cricket. He remained unbeaten on 133 runs off 260 balls with the help of 12 deliveries and two sixes. He added a 152-run partnership with Will Young, who scored 60 runs off 134 balls.

Brief Scores:

South Africa 242 ( Ruan de Swardt 64, Will O’Rourke 4-59)

New Zealand 211 (Kane Williamson 43, Dane  Piedt 5-89)

Also read: Kane Williamson equals Younis Khan’s record for centuries in fourth-innings during the 2nd Test vs South Africa