Gibbs raced to his 19th century in 33 one-day internationals

Herschelle Gibbs struck a magnificent century as South Africa wrapped up the one-day series against New Zealand with a five-wicket victory in Cape Town.

The 33-year-old notched up his ton in just 77 balls, making 119 in all.

After Gibbs' knock Mark Boucher and Shaun Pollock eased their side home with 28 balls remaining.

Bidding to claim a first series win in South Africa, New Zealand battled their way to 238-8 with Mathew Sinclair (73) and Scott Styris (60) influential.

On the last occasion that a one-day series in South Africa went down to the final match, against Australia in 2006, Gibbs hit 175 to help his side overcome the opposition's 434.

He would produce similar heroics to extend South Africa's unbeaten home record in one-day internationals, which stretches back to 2001-02.

It was one of the finest one-day innings I've ever seen and they deserved the win Daniel Vettori

A 173-run first wicket stand with captain Graeme Smith (51) put them on their way and by the time Gibbs was dismissed by Daniel Vettori South Africa needed only 52 runs to win.

They lost AB de Villiers and JP Duminy but Boucher (26) and Jaques Kallis (30) put on 46 together before Pollock hit the winning boundary off the sixth ball he faced.

"Herschelle was playing superbly and my job was just to stay with him and be a partner for him," said Smith, who also guided South Africa to Test series and Twenty20 wins over New Zealand.

"We've played some outstanding cricket all summer with the Tests and one-dayers.

"It's been three months of hard graft since the Twenty20 but now we get a break before West Indies."

New Zealand captain Vettori said: "We were beaten by one man - he played exceptionally well.

"It was one of the finest one-day innings I've ever seen and they deserved the win."

606: DEBATE Gibbs is just magnificent to watch EG

Vettori had won the toss and opted to bat but struggled to squeeze runs out of South Africa's impressively disciplined bowling attack.

Pollock's first spell saw only 18 runs conceded off of seven overs but it was Dale Steyn (2-50) and Charl Langeveldt (2-46) who made the real impact.

Steyn, the world's leading Test wicket taker in 2007, was selected over Albie Morkel and the decision paid off spectacularly.

The 24-year-old had Brendon McCullum caught by Gibbs with the 12th ball of the day and produced a sumptuous slow yorker that uprooted Lou Vincent's leg stump soon after.

Jamie How was trapped leg before wicket by Langerveldt for 15 and the Black Caps slumped to 79-4 when Andre Nel bowled Ross Taylor.