But Hashim Amla (38) and Jacques Kallis (36) steadied the innings with their 52-run stand. Kallis's dismissal in the 17th over brought De Villers to the crease and he with Amla kept the scoreboard ticking. De Villiers played fluently and remained unfazed despite the quick dismissals of Amla and Jean Paul Duminy within three overs.

He stitched a 42-run partnership with Mark Boucher (28) and later with Albie Morkel coasted South Africa to a convincing victory. De Villiers' 110-minute innings included nine fours.

Earlier, the Black Caps were left wanting for partnerships to build their innings, their batsmen falling like nine pins. The 71-run fourth-wicket stand between Ross Taylor (72) and Grant Elliot (39) was the lone bright spot of their innings.

Taylor played a responsible innings but even he could not force the pace with wickets falling at regular interval at the other end. Taylor's innings came off 106 balls and included two sixes and six fours.