Ntini, 20, a native Xhosa speaker from the Border region and a product of the township development programme, helped his side to a 67-run victory in a World Series Cup day-night match.

He claimed the wickets of New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming and wicketkeeper Adam Parore in two impressive spells and troubled all the batsmen who faced him. Called in as a replacement for Allan Donald, who was rested after being troubled by an ankle injury, Ntini finished with two for 31 in his 10 overs.

Ntini comes from a cricketing background. His father played club cricket and his uncle represented the black Border provincial side in the days of apartheid-divided cricket boards.

South Africa, inspired by a maiden limited-overs century from Jacques Kallis, who hit 111, scored 233 for seven in their 50 overs before dismissing New Zealand for 166 with almost five overs to spare at the WACA.

All-rounder and pace bowler Shaun Pollock inflicted the most damage with a three-wicket haul that came at the cost of only three runs per over.

With six victories in seven games, South Africa have already qualified for the best-of-three final against hosts Australia later this month.