Kane Williamson's masterful 148 not out lifted New Zealand into a slender first-innings lead over South Africa after day three of the third and final Test at Hamilton.
Needing a victory to square the series, the Kiwis overhauled the Proteas' 314 all out by closing on 321 for four, thanks largely to captain Williamson, who moved level with Martin Crowe on 17 Test centuries.
Williamson therefore needs only one more ton to set a New Zealand record but far more pressing will be steering his side towards a commanding position on day four.
Tom Latham and Jeet Raval set a solid foundation with an 83-run opening stand before the former was dismissed for 50, edging behind to give Morne Morkel his 250th Test wicket.
Williamson was quickly into his stride with a straight six off Keshav Maharaj and shortly after passing his half-century, another maximum, this time off Vernon Philander, took him past 5,000 Test runs.
While Raval was happy to play the anchoring role, Williamson was the aggressor and he brought up three figures with an effortless push down the ground for his ninth four.
Raval surpassed his previous Test best of 80 but fell 12 runs shy of a maiden international century after being caught behind off Morkel, ending a 190-run stand.
Kagiso Rabada took two wickets in two balls - albeit in separate overs - to see off Neil Broom and Henry Nicholls cheaply, but Williamson, with 14 fours and three sixes in a 216-ball stay, was still there at the close to put his side in a commanding position.
Mitchell Santner survived a late scare after losing his off stump to Philander, who was subsequently called for overstepping, on a frustrating day for the tourists.
Source: PA
