Mount Maunganui: South Africa cruised to a six-wicket win over New Zealand in the first One-day International at Mount Maunganui on Tuesday, guided home by a captain's knock from AB de Villiers. The Proteas ended their run chase at 236-4 in 48.1 overs, easily overhauling the 231 target New Zealand set after losing the toss and being sent in to bat.


Luke Ronchi en route his 99 against SA yesterday. Pic/AFP

De Villiers top-scored for South Africa with 89, ably supported by JP Duminy (58), who combined with his skipper for a 139-run partnership when the Proteas were looking wobbly at 97-4. Wicketkeeper Luke Ronchi's gritty 99 was the standout performance for the Black Caps but he had little support apart from unlikely strike partner Trent Boult, with whom he set a New Zealand record 10th-wicket stand of 74.