Morkel's five accelerates New Zealand's slide

Tea New Zealand 275 and 103 for 5 (Williamson 58*, van Wyk 7*, Morkel 5-11) need another 286 runs to beat South Africa 474 for 9 dec and 189 for 3 dec (de Villiers 68)

Brendon McCullum was lbw for a duck in New Zealand's battle for survival © AFP

Morne Morkel was the sole destroyer for South Africa, taking all five top-order scalps as he set his side up for victory on the fifth afternoon in Wellington. Morkel added Martin Guptill, Dean Brownlie and Daniel Vettori to his two wickets from the morning, as Kane Williamson rode several instances of good fortune to provide the primary resistance. However, with New Zealand's last recognised pair at the crease and Ross Taylor unable to bat, South Africa will hope to clinch a 2-0 series victory in the final session - their only regret perhaps the three dropped catches that might have seen them well into the tail by tea.

Maiden overs were almost as common as runs in the early afternoon, as Williamson and Guptill shut down completely, though in fairness, precious few poor deliveries came their way. But with their defensive mindset allowing South Africa to crowd the slips, it was only a matter of time until the wicket came. Guptill pushed at a good length delivery and edged to gully. Brownlie injected some impetus initially, before Williamson began to quicken his own strike-rate, and the pair negotiated 15 overs for 51 runs. But two searing yorkers from Morkel removed Brownlie and then Vettori first ball to complete the bowler's fifth five-wicket haul.

Williamson survived two dropped chances, another one that appeared to have been caught and a shattered groin protector as he moved to 58. Obdurate at the start, Williamson played shots late in the afternoon, when positivity made an appearance in New Zealand's rearguard, albeit briefly. A serene straight drive off Vernon Philander was followed by consecutive sweeps to the boundary off JP Duminy, and having batted out 55 balls for his first 10, Williamson was suddenly flying towards a half-century. He should not have had the chance, though, had any of the three possible catches he gave been taken. On 7, Alviro Petersen had appeared to take a clean catch at point, but the third umpire ruled not out, to South Africa's surprise. Petersen then spilled a clear chance, with Williamson on 10, this time flying to his right at gully. Then on 20, AB de Villiers couldn't snap up an edge at second slip.

Earlier in the day South Africa scored 114 runs in 70 minutes and then took the first two New Zealand wickets in a fruitful morning session. AB de Villiers made 68 from 49 balls, with ample support from JP Duminy, who also scored at well over a run a ball. Daniel Flynn then gloved a short ball from Morkel early in New Zealand's reply, and Brendon McCullum departed for a duck. He was struck in front by Morkel's first wicket-taking yorker of the day.