KIMBERLEY (South Africa), Jan 22: A brilliant undefeated innings of 145 from Kane Williamson propelled New Zealand to 279 for eight after a slow start in the second One-day International against South Africa at the De Beers Diamond Oval here on Tuesday.

The Black Caps, who surprisingly won the first game of the three-match series, were asked to bat first by stand-in South African captain Faf du Plessis and lost two early wickets after failing to score in the first three overs.

However, a partnership of 127 between Williamson, who hit 17 fours and one six during his 136-ball knock, and Grant Elliott (48) changed the momentum of the innings and, despite a middle-order collapse, the hosts will face a target of 280 from their 50 overs.

Earlier, Martin Guptill was dismissed for his second consecutive duck when he fell in the third over to Rory Kleinveldt.

Du Plessis replaced the suspended A.B. de Villiers as captain for the hosts, which lost the series-opener by one wicket over the weekend and was also missing injured batsman Hashim Amla for the second game.

New Zealand picked middle-order batsman Colin Munro for his ODI debut in place of Rob Nichol and promoted wicket-keeper B.J. Watling to the top of its batting order. A series victory in South Africa would give the New Zealanders a major boost ahead of their return home, having slumped to successive innings defeats in the Test series. The Black Caps lifted themselves from 105-7 for a fighting win in the opening ODI. —Agencies