South Africa edge closer to Cricket World Cup semifinal place after thrashing New Zealand

De Kock struck 114 – his fourth ton of the tournament – and Van der Dussen 133 to help the Proteas post a daunting 357-4 in Pune before New Zealand slumped to 167 all out in reply.

The Black Caps required the highest successful run chase in World Cup history to avoid a third straight defeat, but were blown away by the Proteas' fiery four-man pace attack.

Spinner Keshav Maharaj took 4-46, Marco Jansen 3-31 and Gerald Coetzee 2-41 as South Africa swept to their sixth win from seven matches at the global tournament.

Only three New Zealand batters – Will Young (33), Daryl Mitchell (24) and Glenn Phillips (60) – made double figures.

De Kock and Van der Dussen put on 200 for the second wicket for the second time in the tournament following their 203-run partnership in their recent win against Sri Lanka.

De Kock brought up his century with a six and launched two more, plus 10 fours, in his 116-ball innings, while Van der Dussen faced 118 deliveries, firing five sixes and nine fours.

After a steady start, the Proteas accelerated their innings, with David Miller smashing a 30-ball 53, which included four sixes.

The Proteas also set a new record for most sixes hit by a team at a World Cup tournament – 78 – surpassing the previous best of 76 by England in 2019 with two league games still to play.

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