New Zealand 211 (Williamson 43, Piedt 5-89) and 269 for 3 (Williamson 133*, Young 60*, Piedt 3-93) won South Africa 242 (de Swardt 64, O’Rourke 4-59) and 235 (Bedingham 110, O’Rourke 5-34) with seven wickets
It was a classic Williamson innings where he was challenged by the variable bounce and turn on the surface, but remained unfazed and went about his business calmly.
After scoring 44 in the morning, Williamson quietly cruised to 92 by the end of the afternoon, hitting on the back foot, leaving short balls at deep midwicket and twice charging down the track to hit flat sixes. By tea, New Zealand had put themselves in a solid position at 173 for 3, 94 away from victory. They got there, after Williamson’s century and Young’s half-century, in the final session without any hiccups.
Williamson reached his 32nd Test century – he has now converted each of his last eight 50-plus scores – not long before taking the second new ball.
Young embraced the support role well and soaked up the pressure to reach his fifty off 118 balls. Unlike the first innings, where he fell for 36 when going the attacking route, he was patient but found the boundary eight times. He was dismissed by Shaun von Berg in the 62nd over when he was on 8, but the decision was overturned on review.
For South Africa, Piedt won the bat several times and seamer Dane Paterson was disciplined in his bowling. However, there wasn’t much else to talk about.