Andre Nel (right) hugs Mark Boucher after South Africa's last-gasp win

South Africa's Andre Nel was in inspirational form with bat and ball as he led his side to a two-wicket win in the first ODI against New Zealand.

Nel smashed nine off the last three balls to earn victory, having earlier taken 3-46 in the New Zealand innings.

Kyle Mills (5-25) threatened to bowl South Africa out, with AB de Villiers (87) providing the main resistance.

New Zealand had scored 248-6 from their 50 overs after being put in, with Jamie How top scoring with 90.

How made a quiet start to his innings, but hit three fours in an Albie Morkel over to really get going.

Brendon McCullum and Scott Styris both made 40 to help How build a decent total, but the South Africans bowled impressively in Durban.

606: DEBATE NZ are a very good ODI team and i expect them to take SA to the wire bobstyles007

Shaun Pollock was in his best miserly mood with 0-21 from his 10 overs, while Nel came back strongly at the end to finish up with three wickets.

Mills cleaned up Morne van Wyk from the fourth ball of the South Africa reply and then had Jacques Kallis caught by Ross Taylor for one as the Proteas wobbled on 9-2.

But Graeme Smith (44) and De Villiers steadied the ship by putting on 91 and when Smith was out JP Duminy (46) carried on where the captain left off.

When those two were out Mills came back to get rid of Pollock, Morkel and Johan Botha and the hosts needed 11 runs off the last over to win it.