While not a T20 regular, Latham played the situation to perfection, and walked off unbeaten with 63 from 55 balls, just shy of a new career-high score in the shortest format.
That display sent Kiwi fans home with more than enough value for their money, after also seeing the White Ferns take a 2-1 lead over the same opponents just hours earlier.
The Black Caps can claim the series as early as Sunday, when both sides meet in Wellington. However they’ll be without Santner, Ferguson and Conway, rested before franchise commitments, as Latham assumes the captaincy.
From the moment Ferguson had Wiaan Mulder (0) caught at short cover in his first over, the Black Caps bowlers made sure the batters wouldn’t be tasked with a chase out of reach.
Black Caps captain Mitchell Santner celebrates a wicket against South Africa. Photo / Photosport
New Zealand struck twice more inside the power play, as Santner and Sears removed Connor Estherhuizen (15) and Tony de Zorzi (15), as the Proteas managed 41-3 inside the fielding restrictions.
Once those restrictions were lifted, though, South Africa’s middle order fell like a house of cards. Santner and Cole McConchie (1-14) each struck before halfway, before Jimmy Neesham removed Dian Forrester to leave the Proteas out of specialist batters at 68-6.
A 34-run partnership between George Linde (23) and Gerald Coetzee (16) at the very least took South Africa over 100, only to both fall to Kyle Jamieson (2-42), and effectively end any hopes of a defendable total.
No 10 Nqobani Mokoena at the very least made sure New Zealand would need more than a run-a-ball, with 26 not out including three sixes, but a target of 137 at Eden Park was always going to be difficult to defend.
With such a small target, the Black Caps openers could afford to take things slow, and scored just 26 off the first four overs. But after Latham was given a scare by a hit to the finger from Mokoena, he and Conway found their rhythm, and raised their 50-stand in 38 balls.
On 27, Latham was given a life when he was dropped at deep midwicket by Forrester, and responded with six over fine leg to rub salt into the wound. At the other end, Linde’s introduction was met by a Conway reverse sweep, as Eden Park was treated to his and Latham’s proficiency against spin.
Tom Latham for the Black Caps against South Africa at Eden Park. Photo / Photosport
As the required run rate trickled to less than a-run-a-ball, Latham was dropped again, this time on 43 by Mulder off his own bowling, but lost Conway when he was caught in the deep by Rubin Hermann off Maharaj.
Latham pressed on, and raised his half-century from 45 balls in the 13th over with a sweep off Maharaj, having hit six fours and two sixes.
Needing 19 runs off the final six overs, New Zealand were never going to be in any danger of defeat, as Tim Robinson fell LBW for 17 with scores level. But with one run to score, and 23 deliveries to do it, Nick Kelly scrambled home to complete the job.
South Africa 136-9 (Mokoena 26 not out; Santner 2-21, Sears 2-27, Jamieson 2-42)
New Zealand 137-2 (Latham 63 not out; Sipamla 1-26)
New Zealand win by eight wickets
Alex Powell is a sports journalist for the NZ Herald. He has been a sports journalist since 2016.