N Zealand v S Africa 3rd Test: South Africa win series

Third Test scores (Hamilton)

Match drawn. South Africa win the series 1-0

South Africa 1st Inns: 314 (de Kock 90, du Plessis 53, Amla 50, Rabada 34; Henry 4-93, Wagner 3-104, de Grandhomme 2-62)

New Zealand 1st Inns: 489 (Williamson 176, Raval 88, de Grandhomme 57, Latham 50; Morkel 4-100, Rabada 4-122)

South Africa 2nd Inns: 80-5 (du Plessis 15*, du Kock 15*; Patel 2-22)

Day five report

The weather in Hamilton came to South Africa's aid as the final day of the third Test against New Zealand was washed out to give the Proteas a 1-0 series victory.

The Black Caps went into the last day looking to salvage a series-levelling victory after reducing the tourists to 80 for five late on day four - still 95 in arrears after Kane Williamson's brilliant 176 had seen New Zealand amass 489 in their first innings.

But no play was possible as rain forced play to be abandoned at 1.20pm, making South Africa's eight-wicket win in Wellington decisive.

Day four report

New Zealand are in pole position to claim a series-levelling win over South Africa after day four of the third Test in Hamilton.

Having taken their first innings on to 489 - a lead of 175 - thanks to Kane Williamson's 176, the Black Caps then reduced the tourists to 80 for five at the close, leaving South Africa with it all to do if they are to save the game.

With Williamson resuming on 148, New Zealand's task was all about building a substantial lead, though it was initially slow progress as nightwatchman Mitchell Santner stuck around but found scoring difficult.

The pair still put on 88 for the fifth wicket before Williamson was the first man out as he top-edged a short ball from Morne Morkel and was caught in the deep, 24 runs short of a double century.

Santner departed soon after for a patient 41 off 151 balls, but that did allow Colin de Grandhomme to come to the crease and speed things up during the afternoon session.

With wickets falling at the other end, the all-rounder struck five fours and two sixes in his 70-ball 57 before his fun was also ended by Morkel, who had him caught behind as the last man out. Morkel finished with four for 100 and Kagiso Rabada four for 122.

South Africa's attempts to save the game could not have got off to a worse start as they slumped to 59 for five.

Dean Elgar was caught behind off De Grandhomme, Theunis de Bruyn was comically run out, Hamish Amla edged a shocking delivery from Jeetan Patel, who then bowled JP Duminy when the left-hander offered no shot while Temba Bavuma was caught behind to a loose drive off Matt Henry.

Skipper Faf du Plessis and the in-form Quinton de Kock saw them through to the close without further damage as they both sit on 15 not out, but they will need plenty more from their last two recognised batsman on the final day.

Day three report

Kane Williamson's masterful 148 not out lifted New Zealand into a slender first-innings lead over South Africa after day three of the third and final Test at Hamilton.

Needing a victory to square the series, the Kiwis overhauled the Proteas' 314 all out by closing on 321 for four, thanks largely to captain Williamson, who moved level with Martin Crowe on 17 Test centuries.

Williamson therefore needs only one more ton to set a New Zealand record but far more pressing will be steering his side towards a commanding position on day four.

Tom Latham and Jeet Raval set a solid foundation with an 83-run opening stand before the former was dismissed for 50, edging behind to give Morne Morkel his 250th Test wicket.

Williamson was quickly into his stride with a straight six off Keshav Maharaj and shortly after passing his half-century, another maximum, this time off Vernon Philander, took him past 5,000 Test runs.

While Raval was happy to play the anchoring role, Williamson was the aggressor and he brought up three figures with an effortless push down the ground for his ninth four.

Raval surpassed his previous Test best of 80 but fell 12 runs shy of a maiden international century after being caught behind off Morkel, ending a 190-run stand.

Kagiso Rabada took two wickets in two balls - albeit in separate overs - to see off Neil Broom and Henry Nicholls cheaply, but Williamson, with 14 fours and three sixes in a 216-ball stay, was still there at the close to put his side in a commanding position.

Mitchell Santner survived a late scare after losing his off stump to Philander, who was subsequently called for overstepping, on a frustrating day for the tourists.

Day two report

Quinton de Kock steadied South Africa's flailing first innings with an impressive batting display against New Zealand on the second day of the third Test in Hamilton.

The Proteas never really got going on a rain-affected first day and after resuming on 123 for four it was only when De Kock took to the crease on Sunday that they looked like mounting a respectable total.

Captain Faf du Plessis added to Hashim Amla's half-century with a knock of 53 but De Kock's 90 was the catalyst as South Africa finished all out for 314.

Matt Henry took four for 93 but the New Zealand attack will have been disappointed to allow the tourists to escape from a daunting position of 190 for six.

The hosts made a strong start in reply with openers Tom Latham and Jeet Raval unbeaten on 42 and 25 respectively as New Zealand closed on 67 without loss to trail South Africa by 247 runs heading into day three.

Day one report

Matt Henry and Colin de Grandhomme claimed two wickets apiece as New Zealand made early inroads against South Africa in the third Test before rain curtailed play.

South Africa were quickly in trouble in Hamilton at five for two before a partnership of 59 between Hashim Amla and JP Duminy steadied the ship.

Amla went on to record his 32nd Test half-century but fell soon after and with the tourists on 123 for four an hour after lunch rain brought a premature end to the opening day's play.

Debutant Theunis de Bruyn lasted just three balls before he fished outside off-stump at Matt Henry and Tom Latham held a comfortable catch at second slip.

Dean Elgar then misjudged the length of a De Grandhomme delivery, shouldering arms to a ball that straightened and clipped the top of his off-stump.

Duminy had made 20 before he was next out, cramped for room from a short delivery and top-edging Henry to Jeetan Patel at fine leg.

Amla struck nine boundaries in his 50 but it was 97 for two when he was bowled by De Grandhomme, playing across the line trying to whip the ball through midwicket.

Captain Faf du Plessis was unbeaten on 33 and Temba Bavuma 13 not out when the rain came.