South Africa will chase 207 for victory and a 3-0 sweep of their one-day international cricket series against New Zealand after the home side made hard going of trying to set a competitive target in Auckland.
The Black Caps were bowled out for 206 with three of their 50 overs remaining at a windy and occasionally rainy Eden Park on Saturday.
They struggled to build momentum throughout their innings against some excellent bowling and fielding, losing wickets regularly.
Skipper Brendon McCullum, who was in good touch, top-scored with 47.
He had looked on course for his third half-century of the series, before he was caught, edging a drive off fast bowler Marchant de Lange.
In the middle order, Kane Williamson (22), James Franklin (36) and Colin de Grandhomme (36) all made starts but couldn’t produce the big performance New Zealand needed.
The big-hitting de Grandhomme, in his ODI debut, tried to lift the run rate, striking three sixes and a four in a run-a-ball knock.
But he was the architect of his own downfall when he took on the arm of Albie Morkel at mid-off with a quick single and was run out.
When Franklin left shortly after, having spooned a catch to cover, the Black Caps were reduced to 169-6 in the 42nd over.
De Lange, also making his first ODI appearance, finished with 4-46, while left-arm spinner Robin Peterson took 2-36 from 10 economical overs.