Quinton de Kock has smashed his fourth century of the World Cup and Rassie van der Dussen also hit a ton as semi-finals-bound South Africa sealed a comprehensive 190-run victory over New Zealand for their sixth win in seven matches.
New Zealand were left needing a rescue act, after collapsing to 90/5 inside 19 overs while chasing 358, with only Will Young (33) and Daryl Mitchell (24) offering any resistance, but South Africa did not relent and dismissed them for 167 in 35.3 overs.
Pace bowler Marco Jansen (3/31) began the rout with an early double strike, while spinner Keshav Maharaj (4-46) landed timely blows to ensure New Zealand had no way back at Pune's MCA Stadium, despite a defiant 60 by Glenn Phillips.
In a highly-anticipated contest days after the two nations clashed in the Rugby World Cup final, De Kock struck 114 and Van der Dussen exploded late on to score 133 for his second ton of the showpiece as South Africa posted 357/4.
"Clinical display I would say," said South Africa captain Temba Bavuma. "With the bat, we handled the challenge up front and with the ball nipping around.
"The big partnership really set it up for the boys. With the ball, we sustained the pressure throughout their innings... quite clinical with the execution of our skills."
Victory has helped South Africa leapfrog India to the top of the standings, while New Zealand are still in the hunt for a place in the semi-finals in fourth.
The Proteas built on the De Kock and Van der Dussen's 200-run stand with 119 in the last 10 overs, as David Miller put the New Zealand bowlers to the sword with a 30-ball 53.
South Africa began steadily, after New Zealand skipper Tom Latham won the toss and opted to bowl, as they shrugged off the dismissal of Bavuma (24) and flexed their muscles with top-scorer De Kock going past 500 runs in the tournament.
De Kock, who will retire from the 50-overs format after the tournament, milked the Blackcaps bowlers in a flawless innings and reached his century with a massive six over long-leg off Jimmy Neesham, before looking to accelerate.
He scored two more boundaries, but offered a simple catch to Phillips at backward point, as Tim Southee (2/77) took his first wicket on his return to competitive action, after right thumb surgery in September.
"We were speaking about 300-320 at one stage in the middle, but we've seen so often in the last 12-18 months what the guys coming in can do," said player of the match Van der Dussen.
"We knew if we could set a platform again for them, I mean the sky's the limit. We [almost] got to 360, so we were pretty chuffed about that."
Southee castled Van der Dussen on a day of little joy for New Zealand, who had lost the bowling services of seamer Matt Henry, due to a right hamstring problem, midway through South Africa's innings.
Neesham was struck on the hand, while stopping a ball off his own bowling, and was only able to bat at No.9, although he did not suffer broken bones.
"Not our best performance," said Latham, whose side face Pakistan next. "We were put under pressure with that massive partnership Rassie and Quinton had up top.
"At the halfway mark, it was a big score, but a decent surface. From a batting point of view, you need partnerships.
"To be three, four, five down early and with our backs against the wall, we weren't able to build those partnerships. Disappointing the way it panned out."
The result - their third consecutive defeat - leaves the Blackcaps in fourth on the table - still in semi-final contention - but makes their next match against fifth-placed Pakistan a virtual 'must-win' encounter. New Zealand still have a superior net run rate, if the two teams finish tied.
South Africa 357/4 (Van der Dussen 133, de Kock 114, Miller 53; Southee 2/22) New Zealand 167 (Phillips 60, Young 33; Maharaj 4/46)
South Africa win by 190 runs
Reuters
Join Newshub at 6pm Saturday for live updates of the Blackcaps v Pakistan World Cup match
