Maharaj's 6-40 helps Proteas beat Kiwis by eight wickets

South Africa spinner Keshav Maharaj celebrates the dismissal of NZ's BJ Watling in Wellington on Saturday. Pic/AFP

Wellington: South African captain Faf du Plessis hailed an "impossible" victory after the Proteas recovered from a desperate situation to win the second Test against New Zealand by eight wickets here on Saturday.

Keshav Maharaj took a career best 6-40 as New Zealand crumpled in their second innings and needed just 25 overs to reach the modest 81 to win. Just five sessions after South Africa were on the ropes they found themselves with an unbeatable 1-0 lead in the series with one Test to play.

New Zealand captain Kane Williamson branded the change in fortunes and his side's second innings capitulation when they were out for 171, as a "very, very poor" effort.

But Du Plessis said the result was testimony to the determination of the South Africans. "It's happened a few times this season where we've been in impossible situations," he said.