2nd Test: Dean Elgar glad that brave toss decision paid off

South Africa captain Dean Elgar felt vindicated after his "bold" decision to bat first paved the way for a dominant second Test win over New Zealand that levelled the series on Tuesday. The Proteas' batsmen had been routed for 95 and 111 in the series-opener at Christchurch on the way to their second-worst Test defeat after being sent in to bat first by New Zealand's stand-in skipper Tom Latham.

Read AlsoNZ vs SA 2nd Test: South Africa beat New Zealand by 198 runs, draw series

South Africa outwitted and outplayed New Zealand in a crushing 198-run second Test victory in Christchurch on Tuesday to draw the two-match series 1-1. New Zealand, set a record 426 target to win, were all out in their second innings for 227 eight balls after tea on the final day. It was a

Despite a green-tinged wicket and New Zealand's unbeaten record at Hagley Oval when fielding first, Elgar backed his batsmen to turn things around in the Christchurch rematch. Against one of the world's top seam attacks, they repaid their captain's faith with 364 in the first innings and pressed the advantage with 354 for nine declared in the second to set up a dominant 198-run victory on day five. "Bold decision and one we had to take as a unit, luckily it paid off for us," said opening batsman Elgar. "It might have backfired on us and I would've looked like an absolute idiot. I am one of those guys who live for the decisions that I make for the side." South Africa leave New Zealand with their proud record of never losing a Test series to the Black Caps intact, a run that dates back to 1931/32. The Proteas have again proved their fortitude under pressure, having come back from a 1-0 deficit to overhaul India 2-1 in the home series in December-January. A 10-day