Williamson stars as New Zealand grinds out first test series win over South Africa.
Kane Williamson hit an unbeaten century as New Zealand patiently chased down a 267-run victory target to defeat South Africa by seven wickets on the fourth day of the second test on Friday, clinching their first series win over the Proteas.
South Africa, severely depleted with the majority of their top players back home playing the SA20 tournament, fought hard to level the series, but were unable to make significant inroads into the home batting order.
Williamson's 133, his 32nd test century, was mostly part of a 152-run partnership with Will Young (60 not out) that propelled the Black Caps to victory in a record fourth-innings run chase at Seddon Park.
The 2-0 series victory, the first in 19 attempts in nearly a century, will come with a big asterisk because of the South African squad's inexperience, which had fewer caps than several of the Black Caps combined.
"It was a pretty old fashioned sort of ding-dong test match," said New Zealand skipper Tim Southee.
"Kane played an absolute blinder, as he has done for so many years, and he was well assisted by Youngy today."
The tourists will take credit for putting up such a fight after losing the first test by 281 runs, but captain Neil Brand was left disappointed by their second-innings collapse on Thursday, when they lost their last six wickets for 33 runs.
"The first test was really difficult and I was very proud of the way that we bounced back in this series," said the 27-year-old, who was playing his first and probably last test series.
"Definitely more disappointed after this test match just because we were in the game ... I think the session yesterday probably cost us a bit ... so bitterly disappointed."
The hosts resumed on Friday at 40-1, with the match hanging in the balance after Devon Conway was dismissed by spinner Dane Piedt in the final over of day three.
Tom Latham added nine runs to his overnight total before being caught for 30 by Zubayr Hamza off Piedt, but this only brought Williamson to the crease.
The master batsman had an average of 88 in Hamilton, and he went about building his innings in his usual deliberate manner, with plenty of grind but ruthless punishment for anything loose.
The Black Caps reached lunch at 107-2, and Rachin Ravindra was run out for 20 by Piedt shortly after when his attempted drive went straight to Brand.
Williamson, on the other hand, reached his 34th half-century two overs later, and Young survived a scare when he was bowled to Shaun von Berg, but the decision was overturned after review.
New Zealand scored only 66 runs in the second session to reach tea on 173-3, but Williamson was soon celebrating another century in his trademark subdued style after a long wait on 99.
The 33-year-old, who scored hundreds in each innings of the first test, joined Australians Steve Waugh and Steve Smith in joint 11th place on the all-time list of test century scorers.
South Africa continued to create half-chances, but seamer Dane Paterson and spinner von Berg had little luck and went wicketless, while Piedt had to settle for 3-93 to add to his five-wicket haul in the first innings.
Young slapped a four straight back over the bowler to secure his seventh test half-century and reduce the deficit to a couple of dozen runs, but it was Williamson's 12th boundary that sealed the victory.
"Credit to South Africa. They certainly outplayed us for the first couple of days and put us under pressure and we had to fight hard to get out of that position," said Williamson, who was named Player of the Series.
Apart from Williamson's continued brilliance and Rachin Ravindra confirming his genuine all-round threat in test cricket, New Zealand will be pleased with debutant quick Will O'Rourke's match haul of 9-93.
With their first-test victory in Mount Maunganui, New Zealand climbed to the top of the World Test Championship standings, and they will next face reigning champions Australia in a two-match series beginning in Wellington on February 29.
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