Played at Basin Reserve, Wellington, on 6,7,9,10 March 1953 (4-day match)

Result South Africa won by an innings and 180 runs

Toss South Africa, who chose to bat first
Series South Africa led the 2-match series 1-0

Test debuts RW Blair, FE Fisher, EM Meuli and LSM Miller (New Zealand)

Umpires RG Currie and J McLellan

Close of play
6 Mar day 1 - South Africa 1st innings 300/6 (DJ McGlew 151*, ARA Murray 29*)
7 Mar day 2 - New Zealand 1st innings 80/1 (B Sutcliffe 57*, FE Fisher 0*)
8 Mar rest day
9 Mar day 3 - New Zealand 2nd innings 58/2 (JG Leggat 13*, EM Meuli 6*)
10 Mar day 4 - New Zealand 2nd innings 172 (118.5 ov) - end of match

• JHB Waite (1) retired hurt on 33* from 54/0 to 187/4 (strained neck muscles)