The Black Caps have been beaten by 62 runs in the third and deciding one-day cricket international against South Africa in Durban to lose the three-match series 2-1.
Tom Latham in action in South Africa 2015. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Batting second New Zealand were all out for 221 in the final over of their innings.
South Africa made 283 for seven from their 50 overs.
Opener Tom Latham top-scored for the Black Caps with 54 runs, with Kane Williamson and Colin Munro the next best scoring 39 and 35 respectively.
New Zealand started strongly but lost wickets regularly from the middle of their innings as the required run rate grew to more than 11 an over.
Stand-in captain Williamson, while disappointed with the result, said the trip to South Africa has provided plenty of positives.
"'Overall this tour has been of great benefit, everyone got a lot out of it. But we never gained momentum today."
He also gave credit to the South African attack. "They bowled very well today and adapted better than us to different conditions again today."
Latham topped the run-tally in the overall series scoring 178 runs at an average of 59.33.
Captain AB de Villiers was the host's best batsman scoring 64 runs off 84 balls and was named man of the match.
The South Africa batsman Hashim Amla was named man of the series.
Seamer Ben Wheeler was New Zealand's leading wicket with three for 71, while paceman David Wiese was the pick of the South African's with figures of three for 58.
The Black Caps now head home to join their provincial teams for the domestic competitions.
The next international fixture for New Zealand is a three-Test series in Australia in November.
The Black Caps have lost two out of their three one day series since reaching the final of the World Cup in March.
They were beaten 3-2 in a five-match series against England in June.
New Zealand then edged Zimbabwe 2-1 in their recent three-mtach series before losing the series to South Africa this morning.