New Zealand vs South Africa, World Cup 2023 highlights: Black Caps fold early as South Africa record massive 190-run win

New Zealand folded for 167 as South Africa recorded a famous 190-run win over the Kane Williamson-less side at Pune.

Pacer Marco Jansen ended up taking three wickets while spinner Keshav Maharaj bagged a four-wicket haul as New Zealand mustered 167 in 35.3 overs to record a massive defeat at the hands of South Africa on Wednesday. With the comfortable 190-run win over New Zealand, South Africa have regained the top spot on the ICC World Cup 2023 points table. Rassie van der Dussen was named the Player of the Match for his 118-ball 133.

Batting first in Pune, South Africa steadily increased their net run rate through their innings and it culminated in them smashing 119 runs in the last 10 overs. Quinton de Kock and Rassie van der Dussen's innings defined much of it and they were given a boost by David Miller's 53 off 30, Heinrich Klaasen making 15 off seven and Aiden Markram hitting a six off the only ball he faced which was the last of the innings. South Africa ended up with a score of 357/4 in 50 overs. New Zealand were dealt an early blow in their chase with Devon Conway falling to Jansen in the third over.

Earlier, De Kock and van der Dussen put up 200 runs off 189 balls for the second wicket. De Kock became the third batter after Kumar Sangakkara and Rohit Sharma to score four centuries in a single World Cup, eventually falling on 114 off 116. Van der Dussen carried on and scored his sixth ODI hundred. He went on to smash 133 in 118 balls before falling in the 48th over. Miller and Klaasen then took over the finishing job and it all ended with that six off the last ball from Markram.

New Zealand had won the toss and chosen to bowl first in Pune. The Black Caps brought in Tim Southee for Lockie Ferguson, who is yet to regain full fitness. Kagiso Rabada returned for South Africa and he replaced Tabraiz Shamsi. Bavuma got off to a quick start but fell to Trent Boult in the ninth over. De Kock and Van der Dussen were first careful with the way they scored before flattening New Zealand whose injury troubles worsened with key pacer Matt Henry walking off halfway through his sixth over.

South Africa have emerged as one of the most dangerous teams in this World Cup and a victory over the Kiwis has made them feel much better about cementing a spot in the top four. Apart from the unexpected, the shock defeat to the Netherlands, South Africa have been a dominant force and have the best net run-rate (NRR) among the ten nations. Their batting lineup has been on overdrive with Quinton de Kock often converting his starts to centuries at the top of the order and Heinrich Klaasen leading the way in providing them with frankly ludicrous finishing touches. South Africa's bowling has been impressive as well, with Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen leading the way.

New Zealand had a perfect start to the tournament but a growing number of niggles have played a factor in them sinking to consecutive defeats against India, Australia and South Africa. Before meeting the Proteas, the Black Caps had a few positives in the last match with Rachin Ravindra's century helping them almost chase down a target of 389. In Pune, New Zealand failed to return to winning ways and the Black Caps will feel the heat in their remaining games of the group stage.