Kane Williamson's century leads New Zealand to victory over South Africa

Kane Williamson's brilliant century guided New Zealand to a six-wicket victory over South Africa, securing their place in the final of the Tri-Nation Series. New Zealand successfully chased down South Africa's target of 305, completing the third-highest successful chase in Lahore, with eight balls to spare. 

The victory also set up a knockout match between Pakistan and South Africa on Wednesday, as the result determined that New Zealand would advance to the final.

Williamson, along with Devon Conway, played crucial roles in the chase. Williamson scored an unbeaten 133 runs off 113 balls, while Conway made 97 off 107 balls. The pair shared a record-breaking partnership of 187 runs for the second wicket, the highest-ever partnership between New Zealand and South Africa. This was Williamson's first century in 22 innings, dating back to the 2019 World Cup, and also his second-fastest ODI hundred, coming off just 72 balls.

For Conway, it was a welcome return to form, as it marked the first time in 11 innings that he crossed fifty. Their partnership overshadowed an exceptional individual performance by South Africa’s Matthew Breetzke, who scored a memorable 150 on his ODI debut, the highest score by a player on debut in ODI history.

South Africa posted a total of 304/6, with Breetzke and Wiaan Mulder leading the charge. Breetzke’s knock was the highlight, as he accounted for nearly half of South Africa's total. However, the Proteas’ middle overs lacked the necessary tempo, and they were unable to capitalize on the flat pitch. Their attack, which was missing key bowlers, struggled to put pressure on the Blackcaps.

After New Zealand opted to bowl first, South Africa started well, but they lost Temba Bavuma early, caught off a short ball from Will O'Rourke for 20. Breetzke and Jason Smith steadied the ship with a 93-run partnership for the second wicket, but they couldn’t push the score fast enough. Breetzke reached his fifty off 68 balls, but wickets continued to fall at regular intervals.

Smith was run out for 41, and after that, Kyle Verreynne was bowled by Michael Bracewell for just one. With South Africa at 196/3 in the 40th over, a total of 280 seemed a distant target. But Breetzke, playing with confidence, took charge, reaching his century off 128 balls and then accelerating. His next 50 runs came in just 19 balls, and he was finally dismissed for 150, just as he seemed poised for a double century.

Mulder added a quick 64 runs, but South Africa’s scoring slowed toward the end, with only 24 runs coming from the last four overs. They finished on 304/6, setting New Zealand a challenging target.

In reply, New Zealand lost Will Young early for 19, but Conway and Williamson built a solid foundation. Conway reached his fifty off 64 balls, and Williamson followed suit, reaching fifty off 44 balls with a powerful six over mid-on. The pair dominated the bowling, with Conway playing an aggressive role against Shamsi and Williamson taking on the short balls from Ngidi and Mpongwana.

Williamson reached his century in the 34th over, but Conway fell agonizingly short of a ton, dismissed for 97 by Senuran Muthusamy. Despite a minor setback with the dismissal of Daryl Mitchell and Tom Latham in quick succession, Glenn Phillips helped Williamson finish the job, and the winning runs came in the 49th over.

Muthusamy was the pick of the South African bowlers, taking two wickets, but it wasn’t enough to prevent New Zealand from reaching their target and securing a crucial win with eight balls to spare.

With this win, New Zealand advances to the final, while South Africa’s loss means they must face Pakistan in a knockout match on Wednesday, where the winner will join New Zealand in the final.

Playing XI: 

South Africa: Temba Bavuma (c), Matthew Breetzke, Jason Smith, Wiaan Mulder, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Mihlali Mpongwana, Senuran Muthusamy, Eathan Bosch, Junior Dala, Lungi Ngidi, Tabraiz Shamsi

New Zealand: Will Young, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (wk), Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (c), Matt Henry, Ben Sears, Will O’Rourke