South Africa vs New Zealand 2017: 5th ODI, 5 Talking Points

Some well planned out bowling by the South Africans saw them bowl out New Zealand for 149 in the decider at Eden Park. Faf du Plessis anchored the chase with Miller as well getting back in good touch as South Africa nailed the chase in 33 overs to clinch the series 3-2.

Earlier, Kagiso Rabada and Imran Tahir were at their best and gave little away to the Black Caps batsmen who struggled to score on a quick pitch. All of the South African bowlers chipped in with crucial wickets as New Zealand plummeted to 149.

Jeetan Patel once again had the better of de Kock early on and Amla along with Duminy fell early too triggering doubts of a collapse. But Faf du Plessis and de Villiers erased any such doubts before a Neesham ripper had de Villiers caught behind.

However, in a welcome sign for the Proteas, Miller looked in splendid touch and gave Faf some much-needed company as the duo aced the chase in quick time.

Brief Scores: New Zealand 149/10 in 41.1 overs (de Grandhomme 32, Rabada 2/25, Tahir 2/14) lost to South Africa 150/4 in 32.2 overs (du Plessis 51, Miller 45)

Here is a look at talking points from the final ODI at Eden Park.

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#5 Rabada finds his groove amidst workload concerns

Kagiso Rabada is South Africa's most precious commodity in cricket today. The tall, lanky seamer is the leader of the pace attack with Vernon Philander, Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel frequently down with injury.

He has more than revelled as the leader, providing the right direction for the bowlers early in his spell in almost all games. Today, he was right on the money early, beating Guptill's edge a couple of times before cleaning him up with a good length ball that the batsman converted to a yorker.

Rabada returned after a superb five-over opening spell when Neesham was troubling the bowlers. He got one to rear up onto his helmet that found the edge of his bat and ballooned off the helmet to point. Once again at the end, he prevented a de Grandhomme onslaught by having him caught behind.

#4 Tahir back to his beastly best

Tahir was at his economical best on a quick pitch

On a quick Eden wicket, Tahir's variations were certain to trouble the Kiwi batsmen. He had ripped them apart with a five-wicket haul in the T20 at the same venue earlier in the series.

He had a superb platform to work on today as the pace bowlers had the Black Caps in early trouble. Tahir's first four overs went for a mere four runs. He continued to torment the batsmen in his second spell too, choking the flow of runs.

His first wicket came when Southee tried to slog sweep him and only managed to top edge the attempt. In the next over, he had Jeetan Patel trapped in front with a slider. Tahir finished his mesmerising spell with those two wickets and eye-catching figures of 10-0-14-2.

#3 Have South Africa found the right bowling combination for CT?

Despite his recent form, Parnell might miss out in the final 11 like today

With four all-rounders at their disposal, South Africa were using the previous two series to find the right way to use them. They knew right through that Rabada would be the one opening the bowling from one end.

Morris' sensational bowling with the new ball in this series had put him on the front seat to open with Rabada. But Parnell had also bowled decently. The form of Phehlukwayo and Pretorius kept improving with each game and their superb shows with the bat now mean the combination in the final ODI might be the one they use in CT.

Parnell wasn't part of the eleven in the final game, and could find himself sidelined in the Champions Trophy as well if Pretorius and Phehlukwayo keep putting in performances as good as this.

#2 de Kock vs Jeetan Patel – a lesson to bowl against the opener?

Patel has had the better of de Kock in both the games he played in

New Zealand seem to have found an answer to a dynamic question at the top of the South African batting line-up, Quinton de Kock. They have opened with Jeetan Patel in the last two games and he nipped out de Kock both times.

In the first ODI, de Kock was forced to push at a delivery turning away from him and he nicked to the slips for a golden duck. At Eden Park today, Patel once again opened the attack. de Kock could not resist the temptation to go after Patel only to find the ball ballooning off an edge to mid-off.

With the Champions Trophy round the corner, New Zealand's find seems to be a welcome option for other teams who have struggled to contain the wicket-keeper batsman. de Kock is among the top batsmen in ODIs in world cricket today and will need to iron out his flaws against the off-spinner to continue his thus far successful career.

#1 The No. 4 debate

de Villiers may be a better fit at his usual No. 4

South Africa came into this series with their top 6 fixed for the Champions Trophy. But there seems to be a sudden change of plans in the batting order with JP Duminy walking in ahead of AB de Villiers in the last three games.

While Duminy's woeful form could be one factor that has prompted de Villiers to try him at 4, where he has enjoyed batting in Tests in recent times. However, the southpaw has not clicked and de Villiers has not probably been able to play with the freedom he gets at 4.

While the Proteas skipper was in sensational form right through the series, it is a known secret in cricket that the best batsmen have to come as early as possible. With the Champions Trophy approaching this seems like an unnecessary experiment by the Proteas.