Comeback Kings: Proteas Turn It Around As They Thrash New Zealand to Square Test Series

• The South African men's national cricket team proved that it holds the unofficial title of the sport's "comeback kings"
• After being thumped in the first Test by an innings just a week ago, they rose from the dead to inflict a heavy 198-run defeat on the world Test champions New Zealand
• It was the second Test series in a row that the Proteas had come back from losing the first match to either win a series (vs India in January) or draw one, like against the Black Caps

In skittling out the hosts this morning, they visitors also ensured that New Zealand continued its 91-year wait for a Test series win over South Africa.

Chasing a world record target of 426 to win, the Black Caps began the day on 94/4. At that point, a monumental batting effort from Devon Conway (60*) and Colin de Grandhomme, who scored an unbeaten hundred in the first innings, supported by a stubborn lower order, would save them.

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Rugby

However, it was not to be, as they were eventually bowled for 227. Conway was dismissed for 92 defiant runs, with Thomas Blundell's 44 the only other instance a Kiwi batsman scored above 20 runs in the innings.

Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen and Keshav Maharaj were instrumental in dismantling the chase. Rabada, the eventual man-of-the-match, took three wickets for just 46 runs in 19 overs.

The strapping Jansen returned with figures of three for 63 runs in an equally stingy 23 overs. Keshav Maharaj cleaned up the Black Caps' tail with his own "three-fer" 75 in 31 overs.

South Africa now turns its attentions to the awkward challenge of Bangladesh, who will conduct an autumn tour of the country starting at the end of the month.

The Tigers also defeated New Zealand away at the turn of the year, their first ever Test series win south of the equator.

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Cricket

South Africa put itself firmly in the driving seat to complete an incredible comeback win against New Zealand.

As reported on Sports Brief, Kyle Verreynne's century and Kagiso Rabada's devastating knock in the lower, coupled with an explosive bowling effort, put the Proteas on the brink of a famous victory.

The team needed six wickets on the final day of the match to tie a series that was seemingly lost.