Philander Stars in Resounding South Africa Win :

South Africa rode another irresistible performance from Vernon Philander to take a 1-0 lead in Hamilton, vanquishing the hosts by nine wickets inside three days. Philander continued his phenomenal success in a sublime six-Test career, demolishing New Zealand's lower order to finish with 6 for 44 in the second innings, and 10 for 114 in the match. His fifth five-wicket haul shrank his bowling average to 13.6, and Graeme Smith and Hashim Amla finished the win for South Africa with a smooth 98-run partnership in a chase of 101. 

                                     

Having resumed the day with four wickets down and still trailing by three runs, New Zealand's hopes of setting a competitive target for South Africa rested primarily on the overnight pair of Kane Williamson and Daniel Vettori. Though the pair batted resolutely through the opening spells of South Africa's frontline seamers, a sleepy scoring rate never had the opposition under pressure and they were able to continue attacking until the breakthrough came. By the lunch, two superb pieces of old-ball bowling had exposed the hosts' long tail. 

Williamson resisted South Africa for 193 deliveries, going past 50 for the first time in five Tests, but when Philander had him caught behind in the first over of the second session, New Zealand's dwindling hopes were snuffed out entirely. Philander's off-stump line had Williamson playing at the ball, and a hint of movement was enough to catch the outside edge. 

Williamson began the day watchfully, as Dale Steyn found the reverse-swing that had undone Ross Taylor late on day two. Balls outside off stump were left alone - even those short and wide or overpitched, while the deliveries angled at the stumps were defended firmly or worked towards the leg side. Williamson had ended the previous evening on 41, but took a further 43 balls to score the nine runs for his half-century.