Hashim Amla's century set up a 72-run victory for South Africa over New Zealand to give the tourists an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match one-day international series.
The right-hander made a well-crafted 119 off 135 balls to take man of the match honours, scoring his fourth format century of the year and 16th of his career at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui.
Amla was fortunate not to be dismissed on two occasions when he edged through the gap between wicketkeeper and first slip on five and then Daniel Vettori lost sight of a top edge off Tim Southee in the sun.
He went on to share in a second-wicket partnership of 113 with Francois du Plessis to put the Proteas, who were invited to bat, in prime position for the final overs.
That stand ended when du Plessis was caught behind off James Neesham for 67 but that only brought AB de Villiers to the crease and his 37 off 25 balls kept the scoreboard ticking over to keep the pressure firmly on the Black Caps.
Southee gave New Zealand respite as he removed first de Villiers and then Amla.
The hosts then made light work of the South African tail, with only JP Duminy able to make much of a contribution with 19 as the Proteas lost seven wickets in the final eight overs and five in the last three.
However, the damage had been done as South Africa finished their innings on 282 for nine to set an imposing target.
New Zealand, without influential batsmen Ross Taylor and Kane Williamson, never even threatened to reach it as they suffered another top-order collapse, swiftly crumbling to 69 for five despite a handful of fielding miscues from the Proteas.
Of those five wickets, only Corey Anderson failed to get into double figures, but there was little fluency to the innings and the scoring rate was way off the required pace.
How awesome are these two... #ProteaFire performance today @ABdeVilliers17@amlahash#nzvsa#ProteaFirepic.twitter.com/PmRAIYY2nS
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) October 24, 2014
Number seven Luke Ronchi stopped the rot but was made to work with a rapid succession of partners as the Black Caps slumped to 134 for nine.
Along with Mitchell McClenaghan, Ronchi was able to frustrate the Proteas with a final-wicket partnership worth 76, but they were merely delaying the inevitable.
Ronchi, who was dismissed one run short of a century in the opening encounter, was the last man out for 79, falling victim to Vernon Philander to leave McClenaghan unbeaten on 34.
The wickets were evenly shared between the South Africa attack with Dale Steyn, Philander and Imran Tahir taking two apiece, while de Villiers claimed his first two ODI scalps in returning 2-28.
There was one concern for the tourists, however, with Tahir hurting his shoulder as he prevented a boundary, and he will be assessed before the final match of the series in Hamilton on Monday.