NEW DELHI: South Africa's Quinton de Kock and Rassie van der Dussen dazzled the cricketing world with their outstanding centuries, leading their team to a resounding 190-run triumph over New Zealand in a thrilling encounter at the MCA stadium in Pune on Wednesday.

De Kock's brilliant knock of 114 off 116 balls marked his fourth century in the ICC ODI World Cup, joining an elite group of players who have achieved this feat. Only three players in the history of the tournament have managed to accumulate four centuries in a single edition, with India's Rohit Sharma holding the record with five centuries in the 2019 edition. De Kock's exceptional innings showcased his remarkable skills and solidified his reputation as one of the tournament's standout performers.

Van der Dussen also played a pivotal role in South Africa's victory with a stunning innings of 133 off just 118 deliveries. His aggressive approach and impeccable timing propelled the Proteas to a formidable total of 357/4, putting New Zealand's chase under immense pressure.

New Zealand struggled to find their rhythm throughout their innings and eventually succumbed to a dismal score of 167 all out in 35.3 overs. South Africa's bowlers, led by Marco Jansen and Keshav Maharaj, wreaked havoc on New Zealand's batting lineup, dismantling them piece by piece.

Jansen made an early breakthrough by dismissing the dangerous Devon Conway for just 2 runs. Rachin Ravindra's dismissal further dented New Zealand's hopes, as he top-edged a pull shot. Gerald Coetzee, on his third delivery, claimed the wicket of Will Young with a regulation catch taken by de Kock.

Tom Latham's departure at 67/4 signaled the beginning of the end for New Zealand, leaving them with a daunting task to chase down the target. Keshav Maharaj's impressive spell led to the dismissal of James Neesham, with a delivery that would have made legendary leg-spinner Shane Warne proud. Glenn Phillips offered some resistance with his gritty knock of 60 off 50 balls, but it wasn't enough to salvage the match for New Zealand.

This comprehensive victory for South Africa propelled them to the top of the World Cup points table, level with India at 12 points, although having played one more game. The win not only showcased the Proteas' dominance but also shifted the nation's sporting spotlight from rugby to cricket, following the Springboks' recent rugby World Cup triumph.

De Kock and van der Dussen's exceptional partnership of 200 runs set the stage for South Africa's commanding total. Their extraordinary performances, along with some stroke of luck, resulted in a monumental score of 357. David Miller's quickfire knock of 53 off 30 balls provided the finishing touches, ensuring South Africa concluded their innings on a high note and presented an insurmountable challenge for New Zealand.

The match was a true turning point for South African cricket, as the national team showcased their strength and depth. The remarkable display of batting prowess by de Kock and van der Dussen proved instrumental in securing a convincing victory and generating excitement among cricket enthusiasts nationwide.