New Zealand vs South Africa, SA in NZ, 5 T20Is, 2026 Mar 15 Full score card

SIX! That's a wrap. South Africa win this game by 7 wickets. Short and on off, Connor Esterhuizen stays deep inside the crease and pulls this over the fence towards the deep square leg region for a huge six to seal the game.

Good length, around off, Connor Esterhuizen punches this through the point gap for a couple. 5 more needed for South Africa.

On a length, around middle and off, Connor Esterhuizen swings at it but fails to get right underneath it. Hits this high and to the left of the fielder at long on. Bevon Jacobs tries to move swiftly to his left and catch this before throwing it back, but he slips and then his knee gets stuck in the turf. Two runs taken.

This does not look good for Bevon Jacobs. He slipped, and then his knee got stuck in the turf. Jacobs is grimacing in pain as he walks off the field.

NO BALL! Kyle Jamieson goes for a yorker but the ball slips out of his hands and turns into an above-the-waist beamer. Connor Esterhuizen sways away quickly. Free Hit coming up.

Hard length, around off, Dian Forrester guides this through point for one.

Full and way wide outside off, Connor Esterhuizen goes after it with an attempted drive but gets beaten.

Short and on off, Dian Forrester cuts this to deep point for a single.

WIDE! Bumper, a bit too high. Wided.

FOUR! Driven away in the gap for four runs. Pitched up, around off, Dian Forrester leans onto the pitch of the ball and drives this through the covers region for a boundary. Just 13 needed now for SA to win this.

Back of a length around off, Dian Forrester plays this late and guides this to the right of backward point.

Good length, on middle and off, Dian Forrester punches this to mid off for no run.

Good length, on off, Connor Esterhuizen pushes this to the left of mid-wicket and takes one. The fielder did put in a dive but he couldn't field the ball and that allowed the single to be taken. A clean pick-up could have found Connor in trouble.

This is fuller, on off, Dian checks his drive to cover.

Flat and short, on off, this is punched off the back foot to long on for one.

More frustration for Esterhuizen. Tossed up, on middle. Connor jumps out of the crease and drills it down the ground but Mitchell Santner makes the stop at mid off by going low to his left.

On a length, around leg. Connor flicks but can't get it past the man at backward square leg.

Full and angled in, on middle. Dian drives it to long off for a single.

Turning away, on a length, Dian Forrester guides it to point.

Full and drifting in, on middle. Connor Esterhuizen lunges and defends it out. End of a superb spell from the Kiwi skipper, 4-0-8-1.

Uppish but safe! From over the wicket, slightly short, on middle. This spins back in and Dian Forrester checks his shot. He plays it uppishly but away from the man at mid-wicket to his right. They cross.

Full and quick, pitching outside the line of the leg stump from around the wicket. Dian Forrester goes for the reverse but is beaten and gets hit on the crouched thigh.

Floated up, full and on midddle. Dian Forrester attempts the reverse but does not quite get hold of it. James Neesham anticipates well as he moves early to his left at first slip and cuts it off with a tumble.

Taken at slip! The finger stays down. After a word with the men behind the bat, Mitchell Santner takes the review. Flat and short, on middle. Forrester pushes out in front of his body with a straight bat. The ball sneaks past the inside edge and goes off the pads to slip, where it is taken by James Neesham. The UltraEdge confirms no bat and the ball actually brushed the front pad first before going off the back thigh towards slip. The LBW is also checked but the Ball Tracking has the ball going over the stumps.

DROPPED! The short leg comes into play but Tim Robinson puts it down. Short and on middle and leg, Dian Forrester hangs back to deal with it and ends up nudging it straight to short leg. It goes at knee height to Robinson, who tries to take the catch around his right knee but fails to cling on.

A bit more air given this time, full and wide on off. Esterhuizen gets low and reaches out. He cracks the drive to the right of deep cover for a couple of runs. South Africa need 21 more runs.

This is dropped short, outside off. Dian Forrester cuts it wide of deep point. Tim Robinson moves to his right and gets rid of the ball quickly, keeping the batters down to a single.

Shorter and turning down leg. Esterhuizen clips it through square leg and takes a single.

Flighted delivery, full and outside off. Dian eases it wide of cover and picks up a single.

Full and on middle, Connor gets forward to defend. The ball goes off an inside edge behind square leg for a run.

Low full toss, on middle, driven to long off for a single.

Short and fired in, on middle. Connor Esterhuizen punches it off the back foot back to the bowler.

Stumping chance missed! Tossed up by Connor Esterhuizen extends his hands out in front but the ball drops on him to spin away sharply. His back leg gets dragged out but Tom Latham fails to gather the ball cleanly and only grabs hold of the ball on the second attempt.

Shorter and pushed through, outside the leg stump. Connor rocks back to punch it away on the off side but gets an inside edge towards short fine leg.

Lovely stuff! Santner loops it up and gets the ball to drop on the batter. Connor reaches out in front to defend but fails to smother the spin. The ball lands and rips past the outside edge.

This comes in with the arm, short and on the off stump. Esterhuizen presses back to defend.

With a slip and a short lef in place, Mitchell Santner hangs it up there, full and on off. Dian knocks it down to long on for one.

Slows it down and offers flight, full and outside off. Esterhuizen slices it behind point. It is hunted down with a sprint by the fielder in the deep. A couple of runs more for Connor.

Low full toss, drifting onto the pads, Forrester smears it wide of deep mid-wicket for another single.

Across off, on a good length,  Esterhuizen punches it wide of cover and gets to the other end.

This is fuller and quicker too, on middle. Forrester eases it to long off and turns the strike over.

Short and a hint of away turn, on off. Dian punches it to cover from the crease.

Looped up, full and on off. Connor Esterhuizen whips it to wide long on for a single.

Quicker one, around off, Dian Forrester pokes at it but gets beaten.

Almost the second wicket of the over for Mitchell Santner. Under-cutter, on off, Dian Forrester looks to block, but the ball spins back into the batter, gets an inside edge that goes onto the pads and lands in front of the keeper.

Tossed up, around off, Dian Forrester pushes this to the right of the bowler.

A touch quicker, on middle and off, Dian Forrester blocks this out.

Full and around middle and off, Dian Forrester brings out the reverse sweep on the first ball and gets this away through point for two.

DRINKS BREAK! To their credit, New Zealand have done well so far in terms of the discipline with the ball. They have made South Africa work hard for every run. The Proteas have been guilty of playing too many dots, and that will be a learning curve for this inexperienced side. With 37 more runs required, it should not be much of an issue for the tourists, but the approach they take to get there will be intriguing to see. Dian Forrester walks out to bat.

OUT! SMITH IS STUMPED! Mitchell Santner drifts one in and turns it away after landing around the off-pole. Jason Smith failed to read him in the first over and the struggles continued in the second over. Smith lunges but gets beaten on the outside edge and the ball is gathered fairly behind the stumps by Tom Latham, who breaks the stumps with the back foot of Smith on the line. The replay shows that no part of Smith's foot was behind the crease, and the line belongs to the umpire. OUT flashes on the giant screen.

Stumping check! The third umpire has been called into action. An absolute seed from Mitchell Santner which has done Jason Smith all ends up. No part of the back leg is behind the crease. OUT!

Short of a length, on middle and leg, Jason pulls this to deep square leg and takes a single.

Tossed up, around the pads, Jason Smith flicks this through the mid-wicket region and runs a couple this time.

Full and on middle and off, Jason Smith pushes this back to the bowler.

Quicker one, onto the pads, Connor Esterhuizen flicks this through backward square leg for a single.

FOUR! Innovative from Connor. Tossed up, around off, Connor Esterhuizen brings out the reverse sweep and hits this along the ground and away to the right of the diving point fielder for four runs.

Pushed through around off, Smith dances down the track and smashes this to long off for a run.

Cole McConchie comes on. The offie will start from around the wicket.

Wide yorker, around off. Connor Esterhuizen punches this to mid off.

Bumper, around leg. Connor Esterhuizen goes for a hook but misses out.

On a length around off, Connor Esterhuizen looks for a dab and run but hits this straight to backward point.

Good length, on off, Connor Esterhuizen blocks this back to the bowler.

On a length, wide of off, Jason Smith punches this behind square on off for a single.

Slower one, around middle and off, Connor Esterhuizen flicks this through square leg for a run.

Quicker one, on middle and leg, Jason Smith rolls this to mid on for no run.

Pushed through on the pads, Jason Smith blocks this around mid-wicket.

Fired around the pads of the batter. Jason Smith backs away and looks to flick it away but gets beaten.

FOUR! This looked deliberate from Smith. Pushed through around off, Jason Smith takes a good stride out in front and opens his bat face. Gets this away to the right of the fielder at first slip, James Neesham, and the ball races away to the fence for four.

Floated into the batter, around middle and off. Jason Smith defends this around silly point.

A tossed up delivery, around off, turning away from the batter. Jason Smith looks to push at it but gets beaten.

Pitched up, on off, Jason Smith presses in front and punches this to mid off for a single.

LEG BYE! Full and drifting down the leg. Connor Esterhuizen misses out on a flick this time and the ball deflects off his pads to square leg for a leg bye.

SIX! Flicked onto the roof of the stand towards the deep backward square leg region. Pitched up, around the pads, Connor Esterhuizen leans a shade inside the line, picks it up with a flick and deposits this onto the roof towards the deep backward square leg region for a huge six.

FOUR BYES! Slower one, bowled short and down the leg side. Connor Esterhuizen looks to flick but misses and the ball goes just past his front foot. Tom Latham, donning the gloves for the Kiwis, dives to his left and tries to gather this but fails as well and the ball races to the fence for four.

Back of a length, around off, Connor Esterhuizen gets up on his toes and punches this straight to covers.

Good length, on top of off, Connor Esterhuizen defends this off his back foot.

A slight mix-up but no harm done! On the off stump, on a good length, Smith angles it from the crease towards point. Esterhuizen is keen for a single but is sent back in time before the throw arrives at the bowling end.

SA lose their second wicket, and Jason Smith replaces Rubin Hermann in the middle.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Kyle Jamieson fights back. An excellent grab by Tom Latham. Jamieson bowls it full, in line with the off stump. Hermann gives himself room to go big on the off side. He hangs low to get under the ball but he goes through the shot early. Skies it way up towards point. The keeper, Latham, moves across to his left and calls others out of the way. The ball is swerving in the air but Latham keeps his eyes on the ball all the way through and at the last second, he dives forward to take the catch.

SIX! That has gone back many a mile! Fractionally short at the body line of the batter. Rubin Hermann is quick to pick up the length and plays the pull off the front foot. Sends it way over the deep backward square leg fence for a biggie.

On the shorter side, on middle. Connor hops and taps it with a straight bat in front of mid on for a quick single.

Wide! A short ball by Kyle Jamieson, over middle. Connor Esterhuizen drops his wrists and ducks under it. Wide given for height.

Keeps it nice and tight, on a short of a length, on middle. Connor turns it off the back foot to mid-wicket.

Hits the bat hard, does Jamieson. Angled in on a back of a length, on middle and leg. Esterhuizen blocks it down from the crease.

Moving away in the air, on a good length, outside off. Rubin Hermann takes a step across and swings at it to go over mid on but connects with thin air.

Bumper, over middle. Esterhuizen swivels for the pull and gets his hands high but the ball comes on slower than he expected. Gets it right off the toe end to deep square leg for a run.

Fuller and swinging back in at the off stump. Esterhuizen defends it by leaning forward.

FOUR! Width offered and Esterhuizen cashes in! Short and wide on off, there to be put away. Connor obliges as he frees his arms and slaps it past point for a boundary.

Hits the hard length, over middle. Esterhuizen comes down the track and attempts the pull. The bat gets big on him and it goes uppishly but wide of mid-wicket to his right for a couple of runs.

Beaten! Angled in and then it straightens off the deck, on a good length. Connor defends down the wrong line and is beaten on the outside edge.

Hands on head for Jamieson! Tailing back in, on a good length, on middle. Esterhuizen looks to keep it out with a straight bat but the ball cuts back in. It goes off an inside edge to deep fine leg. Not far away from being trapped in front.

Goes full, does Jamieson and gets the ball to swing back into the right-hander. Around the off stump, Esterhuizen brings his bat out in front and pushes it down the ground. He does not quite time it well and it is hauled in before the ropes. Two runs taken.

In the channel, bowled into the surface, Esterhuizen stands tall and dabs it to point.

This is in line with the off stump, on a short of a length. Connor gets right behind the line and pats it down the strip.

Going away, on a good length, on top of off. Hermann stays back and glides it behind point with an open bat face for one.

A bit of lift off the deck, on a back of a length, outside off. Esterhuizen runs it down to deep third and crosses over.

Wide! Drifting down leg, on a good length. Connor Esterhuizen misses out on the glance.

Bowled from wide of the crease, on a good length, on middle. Rubin Hermann hangs back and blocks it out. End of a successful over for Foulkes and New Zealand.

Pushes the length up, moving away a touch. Hermann covers the line and defends it with a straight bat.

Rubin Hermann walks out at 3 for South Africa.

OUT! CAUGHT! A well-judged catch by Bevon Jacobs. New Zealand have an early wicket but they will need more than just one. Foulkes goes short, on off. Tony looks to pull this one off the front foot but his body weight is on the back foot. He has a swing across the line but skies it towards wide mid on. Jacobs runs over his left shoulder and takes a fine catch. South Africa are 7/1, chasing 92.

From around the wicket for the left-hander, on a length, on leg. Tony flicks it off the pads but picks out the man at mid-wicket.

Swinging back in at the hips, on a back of a length. Connor gets on his toes and flicks it behind square leg. He opens his account with a single.

This hoops back into the right-hander, full and attacking the front pad. Connor Esterhuizen brings his bat out in front and keeps it out watchfully.

Zakary Foulkes will be bowling from the other end.

This is fuller in length, moving back in, on middle. De Zorzi stabs it down on the deck.

A big swing and a miss! A bit of shape back into the left-hander, on a short of a length, on middle and leg. Tony de Zorzi shimmies down the track and has a heave across the line but is beaten on the inside edge.

On a good length, outside off. De Zorzi extends his hands and guides it to backward point.

Across off, on a hard length. Tony looks to ride the bounce and punch it away on the off side. Miscues the shot and hits it a lot straighter to the left of mid off for a couple of runs.

FOUR LEG BYES! South Africa are underway. Down leg, on a back of a length, Tony swivels for the pull but is late on the shot. The ball brushes his thigh pad on the way to the keeper. Tom Latham dives to his right but can only get a hand on it. It is not enough as the ball races behind for a boundary.

Bashes the hard length, on off. Tony de Zorzi rises with the bounce and angles it down to backward point.

OUT! IN THE AIR AND GONE! All over for New Zealand. The Kiwis have been rolled over for 91. Nqobani Mokoena bends his back and digs it in short, over middle. Cole McConchie premeditates as he gives the bowler the charge. He fails to get on top of the bounce and the ball catches the upper half of the blade. It is spooned towards long on, where Rubin Hermann runs across to his right and takes the catch around his thigh. Mokoena finishes with a three-wicket haul on debut.

Wide! Dug in short but this sails over the batter's head. Wide given for height.

Serves the slower ball and keeps it away from the batter's arc. On a length, near the tramline, Cole swings but fails to connect.

FOUR! Thrashed! Into the surface, over middle. Cole McConchie jumps out of the crease and stays leg side of the ball. Slams it uppishly but away from the cover fielder to his right for a boundary.

OUT! TIMBER! Keshav Maharaj strikes on the last ball of his spell. Bowled with a flatter trajectory and this is fuller, in line with the off stump. Kyle Jamieson goes back to a ball he was better off playing off the front foot. The ball keeps coming in with the arm and sneaks under the blade before crashing into the off stump. Ben Sears is the last man in.

A bit fuller now, on middle. Jamieson turns it to mid-wicket from the crease.

Darted in, on the shorter side, on middle. Kyle nudges it to mid-wicket.

This is dropped short, on off, Jamieson punches it off the back foot and it goes straight to Tony de Zorzi at cover. Tony fails to get low enough and the ball goes through his legs. Two runs taken.

Sliding into the pads, full in length. Kyle Jamieson clips it to mid-wicket.

Hands on head for Maharaj! Pushed through from around the wicket, on a length at the stumps. Cole McConchie hops back to punch it away. The ball goes off an outside edge to short third for a single.

Another one bites the dust. Kyle Jamieson walks out to bat.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! The combination of Connor and Nqobani strikes again as NZ lose their 8th wicket now. Short and close to the off-stump, Zakary Foulkes hops up on his toes and looks to guide this away to the third man region, but manages only an outside edge into the hands of the South African keeper.

Hard length, around off, Cole McConchie punches this through the covers region for a rotation of strike.

Good length around off, Cole McConchie defends this off his front foot.

WIDE! Bumper, around off. Cole McConchie goes for a pull but misses. Wided.

Good length, wide of off, Zakary Foulkes dabs this to the third man region for a strike rotation.

Short and on middle and off, Zakary Foulkes nudges this to mid-wicket.

Zakary Foulkes walks in next.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Maiden international wicket for Mokoena. Slower one, full and going across the batter. James Neesham goes for a slog before the ball arrives and ends up edging this off the outside for a regulation catch to the keeper, Connor Esterhuizen, behind the stumps. New Zealand are now 80 for 7.

A sorry sight as misfortune has struck Jordan Hermann on his debut. Rubin Hermann walks over to give a hug to his brother. Nqobani Mokoena returns to the attack. 2-0-18-0 so far for the debutant.

Quicker one, around off, James Neesham blocks this off his front foot towards covers and takes a run.

Pushed through wide of off, Cole McConchie rocks back and slashes hard at it. Gets it toe-poked through the left of the fielder at short third for another three runs.

Jordan Hermann is feeling the hamstring in his right leg. He has walked off the field and called for medical attention on the sidelines.

Fired onto the pads, James Neesham rocks back and tucks this through square leg for a single.

Darted onto the pads, James Neesham pushes this to the bowler.

Tossed up, on middle and off, James Neesham goes deep inside the crease and flicks this through backward square leg for a couple.

SIX! Reverse swept over the fence for six. Short of a length, around middle and leg, James Neesham brings out the reverse sweep, hits this way too well and clears the fielder at deep point for a biggie.

Short and around off, James Neesham pulls this flat through mid on for a single.

FOUR! Innovative from Neesham for four. Short and around leg, James Neesham walks across the stumps and scoops this through the left of short fine leg for a boundary. This was much-needed from Neesham.

On a length around off, Cole McConchie chips this way beyond mid off and takes three as Gerald Coetzee cuts it just inside the fence around the long off region.

Back of a length around middle and off, Cole McConchie flicks this in the gap between deep square leg and fine leg for a couple of runs.

Back of a length on middle and off, James Neesham pulls this to mid on for one.

Full and around off, James Neesham pushes this from the bottom of his bat to mid off for a dot.

Sliding away, on the shorter side. Neesham glides it with an open bat face behind point for one.

Nearly sneaked through! Going across the batter, on a good length, on middle. Neesham is tentative with his footwork and goes searching for the ball. Ekes out an inside edge onto the pads.

Shorter and outside off. McConchie gets on top of the bounce and punches it to deep cover for a single to get off the mark.

Sliding on with the arm, full and on middle. Cole McConchie hurriedly squeezes it out off the outer half to point.

DRINKS! Well, it has not been a good outing thus far for the Kiwis as they are in deep trouble at 54 for 6. South Africa are all over the Kiwis and they'll be aiming to restrict the Kiwis to under 100 and start this tour on the front foot. Cole McConchie joins James Neesham out in the middle. Can this pair forge a recovery for the home side?

OUT! CLEANED HIM UP! Keshav Maharaj wins the battle between the two left-arm finger spinners. Maharaj offers flight and pulls the length back, on middle. The match-up is in favour of Santner and he premeditatively jumps out of the crease. He looks to go big on the leg side and swings at it but he is nowhere near the pitch of the ball. The ball lands and spins enough to go past the inside edge and shatter the stumps. The 18-run stand has been broken and New Zealand are now 54/6.

Gets away with it! A loose ball from Maharaj, on a length, down leg. Neesham walks inside the line to play the sweep but can't beat short fine leg. Nqobani Mokoena cuts it off with a dive to his left. Just a single.

Dian Forrester goes full, in and around the off stump. Santner's weight is on the back foot as he swings to go over mid off. He does not quite get hold of it but manages to evade the back-tracking mid off fielder. The ball plugs in the outfield and Mitchell collects a couple.

Closer to the off stump, on a short of a length. Santner punches it straight to point.

Another slower one, on a good length, outside off. Neesham waits on it before punching it to deep cover. They cross.

Pace on now, on a back of a length, outside off. Santner flashes at it. It is sliced off the outer half to deep third for a single. The 50 is up for New Zealand.

Into the surface, off-cutter, on off. Santner defends it down on the off side.

Starts well, does Dian Forrester. On a good length, on off. Santner watchfully angles it to backward point.

Dian Forrester comes into the attack.

On the slower side, on middle and leg. A bit of turn but Neesham adjusts well to work it to mid-wicket.

Arm ball, skidding through, on a nagging length, on middle. Mitchell stabs it down hurriedly towards cover and takes a single.

The length is pulled back and the ball spins back in sharply, on middle and leg. Santner hangs back to deal with it but squeezes out an inside edge onto the pads.

Tossed up now, fuller and on middle. Santner leans on and defends.

A bit of away drift, full and on middle. James presents a straight bat for the block. The ball squirts off an outside edge, wide of point for one.

How Neesham and Santner will play against spin will be something that determines New Zealand's total at the end.

FOUR! Nicely done! Pushed through by Maharaj first up, on a length, on middle. Neesham brings out the reverse and hits it behind point for a four.

FOUR! Easy pickings! Too straight from the debutant with fine leg inside the circle. On a back of a length, at the hips. Santner plays the pick-up shot effortlessly over backward square leg for a boundary.

Full and pace taken off, on the pads. Neesham chips it in front of square leg and picks up a single.

Nearly chopped it back onto the stumps! On off and middle, on a short of a length. Neesham hangs his bat out with no real conviction. The ball catches an inside edge and drops behind his feet before dribbling beside the stumps. They cross.

Moving away off the deck, on a back of a length, Neesham guides it wide of backward point and crosses over.

Around off, on a short of a length. James lets it go.

Pushed across the left-hander, on a length, Neesham drives it on the up to cover. There is a slight misfield but the batters do not want to take any chance.

Pushes the length up from around the wicket, on off. Santner leans on and firms the drive but can't get it past mid off. South Africa's Powerplay through and through. At the end of 6 overs, New Zealand are 36/5.

Half the Kiwi side is gone with just 36 on the board. James Neesham walks out next to join his skipper in the middle.

OUT! RUN OUT! Rubin Hermann, you beauty. Absolute disaster for New Zealand. Baartman bowls it on a back of a length, on top of off. Jacobs stands tall on his toes and gets on top of the bounce. He punches it wide of the catching cover fielder and sets off for a quick single. Rubin moves to his right swiftly, and the ball bounces nicely for him. He gathers it with both hands and opens up his body to score a direct hit at the bowling end. Jacobs stretches his bat out in front and the third umpire is summoned for a check. The replays find Bevon to be short of his crease.

Angled in, on a good length, on middle. Bevon shimmies down the track to open the off side but miscues it off the inner half back to the bowler.

Baartman bashes the hard length, on off. Jacobs stays rooted to the crease and looks to force it down the ground. Ottneil makes a sharp stop on his follow-through.

The length is dragged back now, on top of off. Jacobs stays leg side and punches it between cover and point for a couple of runs.

SIX! Hit with real authority! Baartman pitches it up at the sticks. He ends up being a bit too full. Jacobs takes a step forward and swings through the line of the ball with a straight bat. Hits it back over the bowler's head for a six.

Good length, on off, Mitchell Santner punches this to point for no run.

Short and around off, Mitchell Santner keeps his guard down and leaves it all alone.

FOUR! Glorious from Mitchell Santner as he continues his good form with the bat. Full and around off, Mitchell Santner prods in front and presents a full face of his bat. Drives this straight down the ground past the left of the fielder at mid off for a boundary.

On a length, around off, Mitchell Santner goes after it with a drive but misses.

Pitched up, around off, Mitchell Santner presses in front and drives this square past the fielder at point for a couple of runs. It was boundary-bound, but the fielder at point took the sting out of it.

Good length, angling into the batter, Bevon Jacobs gets it away through backward square leg for a single.

Hard length, around off, Mitchell Santner prods in front and keeps it out. Just 3 runs off this Ottneil Baartman over and 2 wickets in his account.

Good length, around off, Mitchell Santner defends this around covers.

The skipper, Mitchell Santner, comes out to bat with his side in need of stability.

OUT! BOWLED'EM! Ottneil Baartman disturbs the wooden frame and Nick Kelly has to walk back with New Zealand in deep trouble at 21 for 4. On a length, into the line of the stumps. Nick Kelly hangs his bat out to cover the line but the ball nips back to sneak past the inside edge and rattles the timber. Two wickets in the over for Baartman.

Hard length, on off, Bevon Jacobs dabs this around point for one.

New Zealand's top three back in the hut inside 4 overs. Bevon Jacobs makes his way out to the centre. A slip in place for the new batter.

OUT! It goes from bad to worse for New Zealand. A tad full, and on middle and leg, Tim Robinson looks to loft this over mid on but his bat tilts in his hands at the time of contact with the ball. Tim ends up hitting this in front of mid on, where George Linde puts in a dive in front and takes a good catch as he sends Robinson back.

TWO WIDES! Good length, wide down the leg side. Nick Kelly leaves it. The keeper dives to his right and does well to get a bit of glove to it. The batters run one off the wide as well.

Back of a length, around off, Nick doesn't offer any stroke at it. Nick is giving the impression of a compact player with the way he is leaving such deliveries.

Ottneil Baartman comes into the attack as the first change.

Clever from Gerald Coetzee as he bowls this a lot slower and fuller and also rolls his fingers around this. Nick Kelly is early into the drive and ends up lobbing this just behind point for a single.

Good length, on top of middle and off. Tim Robinson drives this through mid on and takes a single.

Short around leg, Tim Robinson gets inside the line and goes for a ramp but misses.

Well, back to normalcy as Nick Kelly dances down the track and swings at it wildly. Gets this length delivery away to deep third and takes a run.

In the channel, around off, Nick Kelly prods in front, covers his off-stump and offers a leave here. A leave in T20 cricket. A rarity.

WIDE! Full and way too wide outside the off-stump. Nick Kelly chases this but fails to get bat on ball. Wided.

New Zealand find themselves in a spot of bother. Nick Kelly comes out to bat on debut.

OUT! LBW! Double delight for Gerald Coetzee as he gets the other opener as well. Gerald Coetzee bowls this from over the stumps, lands it within the stick and shapes it back into the batter. The ball skids through as well and that was enough to get the better of Tom Latham. The southpaw is hit on the front pad while attempting a flick and a gentle appeal is all the umpire needed to raise his finger. Latham walks to the other end and gets into a consultation with Tim regarding the review, but opts against it and walks back.

WIDE! Good length, way too wide down the leg side. Tom looks for the scoop but misses. Wide given by the umpire.

Short and on middle and off, Tom Latham pulls this on the bounce to deep square leg for one run.

FOUR! Edged and gone for four. On a length, going across the left-hander. Tom Latham presses in front and goes for a drive but gets an outside edge that takes the ball away from the keeper to his left and floats across the turf for a boundary towards the third man region.

Inswinging delivery, full and on off, Tim Robinson dabs this to the right of Hermann at point and takes a single.

FOUR! Hammered away for four on the first delivery he faces in this contest. Short and on off, Tim Robinson picks up the length early, stays deep inside the crease and pulls this in front of square over the fielder at mid-wicket for four runs.

Hard length, around off, Tom Latham stays deep inside his crease and punches this to Dian Forrester at covers and sneaks one.

Good length, around off, Tom guides this to backward point.

South Africa strike early. In walks Tim Robinson at number 3. He usually opens the innings. First look at the 19-year-old right-arm quick. Here's Nqobani Mokoena on debut.

OUT! CAUGHT! Devon Conway holes out to Tony de Zorzi at mid-wicket and NZ are 1 down for just 2. Short and into the batter, at a rapid pace. Devon Conway decides to go with the pull but gets really late on it. Ends up miscuing it straight into the hands of Tony at mid-wicket. Tony had to adjust a bit before holding onto it as he mistimed his jump.

Gerald Coetzee saw the shimmy from Conway early and changed his length as he went full and really wide of off but within the tramline. Third dot on a trot.

Slower one, back of a length, into the batter. Devon Conway goes for a gentle flick but misses and gets hit on the pads.

Gerald comes around the stumps, bowls it on a hard length, tailing it back into the batter. Devon hops up on his toes and goes for the flick but misses and gets hit around his thigh pad.

Another inswinging delivery on off, Tom Latham punches this to point. A misfield from Jason Smith allows Latham to take a single and get off the mark as well.

A little bit of swing on offer for Gerald Coetzee first up as he bowls this full and wide outside off. Devon slices this to deep third for a single to get off the mark.

Time to get going. Keshav Maharaj leads his troops out onto the park. It will be Devon Conway and Tom Latham to open the innings for New Zealand. Gerald Coetzee will start with the new ball for the tourists. Conway to face the first ball. A slip in place. Here we go!

We are moments away from the first ball, but before that, the two teams will line up for the national anthems. A minute's silence is observed to remember the lives lost in the tragic landslide in Mount Maunganui earlier this year. Time for the national anthems now. It will be South Africa's national anthem first, followed by that of New Zealand.

Happy for the debutants - South Africa's captain, Keshav Maharaj confirms that while the Proteas also preferred to bat first, he believes the Bay Oval surface remains a high-quality wicket for a successful chase. Making his debut appearance at Mount Maunganui, Maharaj embraces the ground’s family-oriented atmosphere and expresses high expectations for his squad’s newcomers. Maharaj highlights that debutants like Connor Esterhuizen, Jordan Hermann, and Nqobani Mokoena have earned their spots through consistent domestic performances, and he anticipates a high-energy performance fueled by the excitement and buzz of this fresh South African lineup.

Looking forward to this series - The skipper of New Zealand, Mitchell Santner shares that it is good to be back home, and he welcomes the challenge of facing a quality side like South Africa at home. Mentions that the pitch has a subcontinental look and expects it to be on the slower side. Adds that being a spinner, he likes how the surface looks, and they gathered good intel from the earlier women's game.

South Africa (Playing XI) - Connor Esterhuizen (WK) (On debut), Jordan Hermann (On debut), Tony de Zorzi, Rubin Hermann, Jason Smith, Dian Forrester (On debut), George Linde, Gerald Coetzee, Keshav Maharaj (C), Nqobani Mokoena (On debut) and Ottneil Baartman.

New Zealand (Playing XI) - Devon Conway, Tom Latham (WK), Tim Robinson, Nick Kelly (On debut), Bevon Jacobs, Mitchell Santner (C), James Neesham, Cole McConchie, Zakary Foulkes, Kyle Jamieson and Ben Sears.

TOSS - The flip of the coin lands in favour of Mitchell Santner. New Zealand have elected to BAT first.

Who wins the opener? While South Africa is motivated by revenge, New Zealand enters as the clear favorites for the opener. The Kiwis possess a more balanced blend of senior pros in Conway, Neesham, and Sodhi compared to the Proteas' largely uncapped lineup. Playing in familiar home conditions at Mount Maunganui usually gives the Black Caps a tactical edge, especially in the bowling department, where spin could prove decisive. Despite the help on offer for the bowlers, we can expect a high-scoring contest. Stay tuned as we are moments away from the toss and team updates. 

A new-look Proteas under Maharaj - South Africa arrives with a completely different look, resting 12 of their World Cup stars. The spotlight shines brightly on Keshav Maharaj, who not only captains the side but also plays a key role with the ball in his hands. The Proteas have shifted their focus to domestic standouts, rewarding the Hermann brothers and the 19-year-old speedster Nqobani Mokoena for their SA20 heroics. With Tony de Zorzi back from injury and hungry to prove he belongs on the international stage, this depleted squad from the regular XI may play with the kind of nothing-to-lose freedom that makes them dangerous.

The reinvention of the Kiwis - With several mainstays like Rachin Ravindra and Daryl Mitchell rested, the Kiwi squad looks fresh and experimental. Mitchell Santner remains at the helm for the first three games, tasked with guiding a mix of veteran reliability and raw potential. The return of Nathan Smith and Ben Sears adds much-needed depth to the bowling stocks, while the inclusion of uncapped Nick Kelly signals New Zealand's intent to keep their T20 production line moving. The Kiwis will lean on the experience of Devon Conway and James Neesham to set the tone against a touring side they’ve recently dominated.

A new chapter begins - Hello and welcome to all the fans of this beautiful game across the globe. Just one week ago, New Zealand and South Africa were at the center of the cricketing universe, dreaming of T20 World Cup glory. The Black Caps’ clinical demolition of the Proteas in the semi-final feels like yesterday, as does their subsequent heartbreak against India in the final. This five-match series serves as a massive platform for redemption. For the visitors, it’s about healing the scars left by Finn Allen’s blade and for the hosts, it's about moving past the big game nemesis that continues to haunt them in finals.

.. MATCHDAY ...

Match intro - Fresh off the high stakes of the 2026 T20 World Cup, New Zealand and South Africa wasted no time rekindling their rivalry with a five-match T20I series. The opener kicks off at the picturesque Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui, serving as both a homecoming for the Black Caps and a chance for a young Proteas side to test their mettle in Kiwi conditions. The post-World Cup Shake-up - This series comes immediately after the T20 World Cup, where New Zealand reached the final but fell to India. Interestingly, these two teams met in the semi-final just days ago, where the Black Caps clinical 9-wicket victory knocked the Proteas out. With many senior stars from both sides being rested, this series is a significant 'next-gen' audition. New Zealand has named an 18-man extended squad with phased availability, while South Africa has opted for a developmental group led by veteran spinner Keshav Maharaj. Pitch and conditions - Known for its true bounce and short boundaries, Bay Oval is a batter's delight but offers plenty of assistance to express pace early on. Teams batting first have won more matches and pacers generally take more wickets at this venue but with the evening dew, the captain winning the toss might be tempted to chase. The Kiwi squad - Mitchell Santner leads the side for the first three matches before handing the reins to Tom Latham. The squad is a mix of World Cup veterans and domestic standouts. However, heavy hitters like Finn Allen, Glenn Phillips, and Daryl Mitchell are being rested. The next-gen Proteas - The Proteas have arrived with a squad featuring five uncapped players, signaling a clear intent to broaden their talent pool. Gerald Coetzee returns to lead the pace attack, while Tony de Zorzi looks to translate his red-ball form into the shortest format. Keep an eye on 19-year-old pace sensation Nqobani Mokoena, who was a breakout star in the SA20.Form (Last 5 completed T20Is, most recent first) -  NZ - LWLWW | SA - LWWWW. What to expect? While South Africa has the historical edge in head-to-head stats, New Zealand enters as the favorites for the 1st T20I. The Black Caps’ familiarity with the Bay Oval conditions and a slightly more experienced top order (Conway and Latham) should give them the advantage over a transitioning South African side. Who are you backing for the win?