South Africa put New Zealand to the sword in Saturday's third one-day international after easing to a 159-run demolition in Wellington to take a 2-1 series lead.

The Proteas' 12-game ODI winning streak was ended by the Kiwis, who levelled the five-match series on Wednesday, but South Africa rebounded in style in Christchurch after bowling out New Zealand for 112 in the 33rd over.

After South Africa won the toss and posted 271-8, New Zealand's batting line-up was dismantled by the touring quartet of Dwaine Pretorius (3-5), Andile Phehlukwayo (2-12), Wayne Parnell (2-33) and Kagiso Rabada (2-39), while Imran Tahir (1-23) also got in on the action at Westpac Stadium.

The Kiwis made a terrible start as opener Tom Latham departed for a duck in the second over and fellow opener Dean Brownlie (2) followed in the third.

New Zealand never recovered from their slow start, despite the best efforts of Colin de Grandhomme, who finished 34 not out, having led the team's bowlers with 2-40. Captain Kane Williamson (23), Ross Taylor (18) and James Neesham (13) were the only batsmen to reach double-figures.

Earlier in the day, Quinton de Kock (68 from 70) and man-of-the-match AB de Villiers (85 off 80 balls) starred for the Proteas, who took a 2-1 lead heading into the fourth ODI in Hamilton on Wednesday.

While fellow opener Hashim Amla struggled, De Kock looked comfortable at the crease as he set the foundations for a decent total.

Having watched De Kock score 34, Amla never got going as he contributed just seven runs off 19 deliveries before he skied a Tim Southee (1-66) delivery to Williamson.

That brought Faf du Plessis (36) to the middle and he teamed up with De Kock to lead the South Africans past 100 but the partnership came to an end after the former drove on the up off De Grandhomme, caught by Southee.

It was a much-needed wicket for the Black Caps at 114-2 and it got better two balls later when De Grandhomme struck again, this time claiming the scalp of De Kock, whose pull shot was taken in the deep by Neesham.

De Villiers wasted little time making his mark, hitting an early boundary to score his 9,000th ODI run - becoming the fastest player to do so in 205 innings.

South Africa continued to keep the scoreboard ticking over as Latham missed a stumping chance after failing to get a grip on Mitch Santner's (1-45) quick delivery.

New Zealand, however, did get a wicket in the 34th over thanks to the accuracy of Southee, who produced a direct hit to run out JP Duminy for 16, before Santner sent David Miller (3) back to the pavilion as South Africa fell to 164-5.

While Duminy, Miller and Pretorius' (11) stays at the crease were brief, De Villiers looked impenetrable after bringing up his 51st ODI half-century and the veteran almost made it to the end unbeaten until he fell to Trent Boult (1-47) in the final over, with Parnell also run out at the death.