New Zealand stormed to a 1-0 lead in the 2-match series after beating South Africa by a mammoth margin of 281 runs at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui.
The Black Caps also recorded their second-biggest win over the Proteas after they won by an innings and 276 runs back in February 2022 at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch.
The Kiwis also notched only their 6th victory over South Africa in 48 matches since their first meeting back in 1932.
At Stumps on Day 3, New Zealand took a lead of 528 runs after Kane Williamson became the first from his country to score 2 hundreds in the same Test. Before the start of play on the fourth day, the hosts declared, setting a humongous target for their opponents to chase down.
Jamieson strikes after Bedingham blitz
Matt Henry and Tim Southee dismissed Neil Brand and Edward Moore respectively in quick succession to put South Africa under pressure right from the outset.
Raynard van Tonder (31) and Zubayr Hamza (36) put on 63 runs for the third wicket before both batters departed in a space of 16 balls.
Thereafter, David Bedingham and Keegan Petersen gave the Proteas something to cheer for with a partnership of 105 runs for the fifth wicket. Bedingham played his shots to score 87 runs off 96 balls with the help of 13 fours and 3 sixes.
Kyle Jamieson ran through the opposition’s middle order by picking the wickets of van Tonder, Hamza, Bedingham and Peterson. The lanky pacer finished with figures of 17-3-58-4.
Ruan de Swardt made 34 runs off 56 balls, but it was only to delay the inevitable. Mitchell Santner also accounted for 3 scalps as New Zealand bowled South Africa out for 247 in 80 overs.
Rachin Ravindra won the Player of the Match award after he scored a sparkling double hundred in the first innings.
The second Test is scheduled to be played from February 13 at Seddon Park in Hamilton.
