Amelia Kerr struck a century as the New Zealand Women claimed a two-wicket win over the Proteas Women in a high-scoring second ODI in Wellington.
Kerr, named Player of the Match, struck 179* off 139 balls, sharing a key stand with Izzy Gaze (68 off 48) as the hosts completed a record chase of 347.
South Africa had earlier posted 346-6, with Anneke Bosch (91 off 90 balls) and Laura Wolvaardt (69 off 74) leading the way.
The Proteas Women lost the toss and were sent in to bat. Tazmin Brits (nine) and Wolvaardt made a steady start, taking the visitors to 35-0 in the eighth over before Brits was caught behind off Bree Illing (3-60).
Bosch then combined with Wolvaardt in a century stand, both reaching their half-centuries as the Proteas moved to 139-1 after 25 overs. The pair added 132 for the second wicket before Wolvaardt fell to Illing, leaving South Africa on 167-2.
Bosch and Suné Luus (40), playing her 150th ODI, added 44 before Bosch was dismissed for 91. Luus and Sinalo Jafta (37) then contributed a further 34-run stand, with Jafta later adding 40 alongside Chloé Tryon (52*) as South Africa accelerated.
Tryon reached her half-century off 25 balls to lift the Proteas Women to 346-6, despite the late loss of Nadine de Klerk (18).
In reply, New Zealand lost Suzie Bates (eight) early to Ayabonga Khaka (3-51), but Georgia Plimmer (23) and Kerr steadied the innings to 72-1 after 15 overs.
Kayla Reyneke (2-54) struck twice to reduce the hosts to 101-3, before Luus (1-21) removed Brooke Halliday (14) to leave the White Ferns on 101-4.
Kerr and Gaze then took control, adding a century stand for the fifth wicket to take the hosts past 200. Kerr brought up her fifth ODI hundred, while Gaze reached her half-century as New Zealand moved to 219-4 after 35 overs.
Gaze was eventually dismissed by Masabata Klaas (2-61), but Kerr continued to anchor the chase, finding support from Izzy Sharp (11) and Jess Kerr (14).
With the target in sight, Kerr took charge in the final over, striking 14 runs to seal the win and level the series 1-1.
The third and final ODI will take place at the Basin Reserve in Wellington on Saturday.
Photo: Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images
