Durban, November 5:

South Africa’s 12-match winning streak ended on Friday when the fourth one day match against New Zealand was abandoned because of rain.

South Africa, batting first after winning the toss, were 79/2 after 20 overs when rain stopped play. The rain did not let up before umpires Steve Bucknor and Brian Jerling called off the game almost four hours later.

South Africa, holding an unbeatable 3-0 lead in the five-match series, had won 12 matches since a wash-out in the sixth international against England in Durban in February.

South Africa’s winning sequence was the second-longest in one-dayers behind Australia’s 21 successive wins in 2003. South Africa have been unbeaten in 18 matches, including two no-results and a tie.

Rain threatened from the start on Friday. Conditions were heavily overcast and the floodlights were on when South Africa started their innings. AB de Villiers was caught behind for six off Shane Bond and Greame Smith (22) was trapped lbw by James Franklin. Jacques Kallis and Ashwell Prince batted solidly until rain stopped play. Kallis was on 24 and Prince on 17. Nathan Astle became the fourth New Zealander to play in 200 ODIs. The final match will be played on Sunday.