The Black Caps were bowled out for 227 in their second innings despite 92 by the Devon Conway.

Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen and Keshav Maharaj each took three wickets, but KG was the pick of the bowlers with 3/46 in 19 overs.

Rabada said it was important not to concede a series to New Zealand and the way they bounced back following their heavy innings and 276 run defeat in the first Test speaks volumes of the team’s character.

“We were under pressure to come into this second Test match and win, and it means a lot that didn't come here and lose the series.

“We would have liked to win the series, but we can give ourselves credit for bouncing back.

“Every Test match win and series means a lot.

“I think it's what we have naturally as South Africans.

“If you have a look at previous teams, the word that always fits us best was resilience. It was never easy to beat us in a Test series and we proved that again in this series.

“It was extremely hard and we had young guys stepping up like Lutho Sipamla, Kyle Verreynne and Sarel Erwee in his first series. There are lots of good signs for the future.

“Resilience has always been a character trait that we have best shown to the world.”

Rabada took 8/106 in the Test while on the batting front, Sarel Erwee and Kyle Verreynne, both scored maiden Test centuries. Achieving three figures in a Test has been something that has lacked in the South African batting line-up of late.

The Proteas next game is on 18 March against Bangladesh at SuperSport Park in the first ODI.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport