A Hashim Amla century has helped South Africa set New Zealand a challenging target to win the second one-day cricket international and keep the three-match series alive.

The Proteas, who were sent in to bat at Mt Maunganui, ended on 9-282 after the Black Caps mounted a late fightback, claiming five wickets after Amla’s departure for 119 in the 45th over.

Seamer Trent Boult and all-rounder Corey Anderson each picked up two wickets in successive balls to peg back the tourists, who at one stage had threatened to top 300.

Amla’s ton at Bay Oval was his 16th in ODIs and he hit 15 fours in a 135-ball innings.

The opener offered a couple of half-chances early on, edging one delivery between keeper and slip and then mishitting another high in the air but surviving when fine leg fieldsman Dan Vettori lost sight of the ball.

But he was largely in control and, having reached three figures, opened up, hitting Boult for four successive boundaries.

He went shortly after when Tim Southee bowled him as he tried to run a ball down to third man.

Amla featured in three good partnerships, including 113 for the second wicket with Faf du Plessis (67).

New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum chose to field in the expectation that there might be more in the pitch for the bowlers in the first innings than in the second.

But until those last few overs, his attack couldn’t produce enough pressure to force mistakes.

McCullum ended up using seven bowlers, with Boult, Southee, Mitchell McClenaghan and Anderson each getting two wickets.

McClenaghan’s 2-49 from his 10 overs in his 23rd match made him the third fastest bowler to reach 50 ODI wickets.

South Africa lead the series 1-0 after their six-wicket victory at the same venue on Tuesday.