Mount Maunganui, New Zealand: Hashim Amla scored 119 and Faf du Plessis added 67 as South Africa reached 282-9 after being sent in to bat Friday in the second limited-overs cricket international against New Zealand.
Amla played the role of innings anchor, facing the first ball and batting until the 45th over, compiling his 16th ODI century and his fourth of 2014.
Du Plessis joined him at 56-1 and combined in a 113-run second-wicket stand, continuing the form which has carried him to three centuries and four half centuries in ODIs since August. In that time he has totaled 693 runs at an average of 69.
A.B. de Villiers, who scored 89 as South Africa won the first match by six wickets, continued his good form with a dashing 37 from 25 balls.
New Zealand struggled from the start to contain South Africa's outstanding batting lineup. Trent Boult conceded nine runs from the first over and from that time on, the Proteas seemed in charge on a pitch that offered slow but true bounce.
Amla and Quinton de Kock shared a half century partnership for the first wicket which ended when de Kock was bowled by Mitchell McClenaghan in the 13th over.
By then Amla was in his stride and found the perfect ally in du Plessis with whom he formed a partnership that spanned almost 21 overs and ensured South Africa reached a formidable total.
The pair accumulated steadily, adding 100 runs from 106 balls and looking comfortable as New Zealand used seven bowlers in the hope of breaking their stand.
Du Plessis was slightly more aggressive, reaching his half century from 52 balls with three fours and a six, where Amla had taken 69 balls with seven boundaries. He briefly drew level with Amla at 67 in the 32nd over but was out at that score, caught behind off Jimmy Neesham from the first ball of the batting powerplay.
De Villiers was still able to ensure South Africa exploited the powerplay, striking five fours and one six in a 42-minute stay during which he added 66 with Amla for the third wicket.
Amla reached his century soon afterwards, with a single off Tim Southee and from the 127th ball he faced. He hit 11 boundaries in his 100, then accelerated, adding another 19 runs in quick time before he was bowled by Southee.
New Zealand claimed its next five wickets for 35 runs, including four wickets from nine balls in the last two overs.
Trent Boult (2-70) and Corey Anderson (2-30) both took wickets with consecutive balls in the last two overs to lead a New Zealand fightback, while Southee, returning from a shoulder injury, returned 2-50.
Mitchell McClenaghan took 2-49 and became the third-fastest player to reach 50 wickets in ODIs after Ajantha Mendis and Ajit Agarkar.
