South Africa beat New Zealand to draw Test series 1-1

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New Zealand captain Tom Latham of New Zealand (left) and South Africa skipper Dean Elgar (right) pose with the trophy after the drawn seriesImage source, Getty Images
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New Zealand captain Tom Latham of New Zealand (left) and South Africa skipper Dean Elgar (right) shared the series trophy

Second Test, Canterbury

South Africa 364 (Irwee 108) & 354-9 dec (Verreynne 136*)

New Zealand 293 (De Grandhomme 120*, Rabada 5-60) & 227 (Rabada 3-46)

South Africa won by 198 runs

South Africa beat New Zealand by 198 runs on the final day in Canterbury to draw the two-Test series 1-1.

Chasing a world-record 426 for victory, the Black Caps resumed on 94-4 and were bowled out for 227 just after tea.

An unbeaten knock of 136 by wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne and a quick-fire 47 from Kagiso Rabada had helped South Africa to declare on 354-9 in their second innings and set the platform for victory.

Fast bowler Rabada, who had removed both New Zealand openers on day four, ended with match figures of 8-106 and was named man of the match.

South Africa had lost the first Test by an innings and 276 runs in Christchurch - their second-worst Test defeat - and New Zealand only needed to draw in Canterbury to complete their first Test series win over the Proteas.

"It's never easy playing against New Zealand and we knew what we had to do. I'm glad that we could get the job done," Rabada said.

"In the first Test we completely didn't rock up. We knew we had to win this one, at least to make it 1-1."

The result leaves holders New Zealand sixth in the World Test Championship table, with South Africa fourth.