In a thrilling twist on the third day of the second and final Test against New Zealand, South Africa's David Bedingham smashed his maiden Test century to give the young Proteas a glimmer of hope. His gritty 110, paired with Keegan Petersen's 43, rescued the innings from 88-3 and set New Zealand a tricky 267-run chase.

Debutant Will O'Rourke had earlier wreaked havoc with a five-wicket haul, but Bedingham and Petersen stood firm, stitching together a crucial 98-run partnership. New Zealand started their chase cautiously but lost Devon Conway late in the day, leaving them needing 227 runs with nine wickets remaining.

This match is shaping up to be a nail-biter. New Zealand, despite their historical struggles against South Africa, will be confident with Tom Latham at the crease. South Africa, on the other hand, will need their bowlers to be at their best to defend a modest total on a tricky pitch.

Here are the key takeaways:

Bedingham's century was the turning point for South Africa, keeping them in the contest after a shaky start.

O'Rourke's impressive debut performance exposed South Africa's batting vulnerabilities.

New Zealand's chase has begun cautiously, with the outcome still wide open.

With two days remaining and the balance precariously poised, the Hamilton Test promises a thrilling climax to the series. Will New Zealand finally break their 72-year drought against South Africa, or can the young Proteas pull off a remarkable comeback? Stay tuned to find out!