Spinner Keshav Maharaj took a career-best 6-40 and match figures of 8-87 to bowl South Africa to an eight-wicket win over New Zealand in the second cricket test Saturday and a 1-0 lead in the three match series.
In a rapid and stunning end to the match on day three, South Africa was left only 81 runs to win after New Zealand was dismissed for 171 in its second innings off 63.2 overs. Claiming the extra half hour available at the end of the day, South Africa reached its target in 25 overs with Hashim Amla 38 not out and J.P. Duminy unbeaten on 15. Veteran paceman Morne Morkel took the first three wickets to fall as New Zealand began 91 runs behind the Proteas on the first innings Saturday. Maharaj then ran through the lower and middle order to limit New Zealand to a lead of only 80 runs.
In an unprecedented performance at the Basin Reserve, which has always been the New Zealand pitch most conducive to fast bowling, the South African spinners — Maharaj and J.P. Duminy — took 12-138 to push their team to a victory which will likely decide the three match series.