New Zealand vs South Africa, SA in NZ, 5 T20Is, 2026 Mar 25 Full score card

Very full and outside off. Kyle Jamieson guides it to deep point for a single. SOUTH AFRICA WIN BY 33 RUNS AND TAKE THE SERIES.

Bowls a bouncer, on middle and leg. Kyle Jamieson looks to pull but misses.

Leg bye! Serves a pace off delivery, full and on leg. Zakary Foulkes looks to flick but misses and it rolls off the pads to point for a leg bye.

Short of a length, around off. Kyle Jamieson pulls it away to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Back of a length on middle. Kyle Jamieson punches on the up to mid off for a couple of runs.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Very full, down leg. James Neesham looks to flick it away but misses. It is given as a wide but South Africa have reviewed it. They feel there is some part of the blade. Okay, James Neesham is already walking away and crosses the ropes as UltraEdge confirms a spike. A nothing delivery from Wiaan Mulder but somehow finds a wicket.

Just six legal deliveries are required now by South Africa to wrap the series. Wiaan Mulder to bowl the final over.

FOUR! Good shot! On a good length, around off. Zakary Foulkes gets inside the line and paddles it over short fine leg for a boundary.

Zakary Foulkes replaces Cole McConchie.

OUT! TAKEN! Second wicket for Gerald Coetzee. Back of a length delivery, around off. Cole McConchie tries to muscle it away but ends up finding Wiaan Mulder at long on. A simple catch in the deep.

Oh, it was there to be hit. A full toss, around off. James Neesham chips it to mid off where Keshav Maharaj picks up on a bounce. Just a single.

Short of a length, around off. Cole McConchie pulls it to deep square leg for a single.

Cole McConchie walks to the middle. For South Africa, they have kept James Neesham away from the strike.

OUT! TAKEN! A scrambled seam delivery, very full and outside off. Clarkson tries to take on the vacant square leg region by moving across but ends up miscuing it to cover. Tony de Zorzi takes a simple catch.

Short of a length, around off. Clarkson stands tall and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a couple.

47 needed in 2 overs. Gerald Coetzee to bowl the penultimate over. South Africa are the favourites for now, but New Zealand have their skipper out there.

Pushes it full and angling around off. Clarkson bends low and hits it down to long on for a single.

Leg bye! A full toss, onto the hip pads. James Neesham fails to hit it away. It rolls off the pads to square leg for a leg bye.

Wide! Too short, down leg. James Neesham lets it be.

FOUR! The skipper is keeping the hopes alive. Length delivery, outside off. James Neesham frees his arms and hammers it down to long off for a boundary.

Ottneil Baartman pitches it up, close to the off pole. James Neesham squeezes it out through covers for a brace.

A yorker, just outside off. Clarkson opens the bat face and guides it to short third man for a run.

FOUR! Picked it up well. Pace off, fuller delivery, around off. Clarkson waits and hammers it down to long on and it races to the fence.

Superb over under pressure by Gerald Coetzee. Shorter delivery on middle. James Neesham looks to pull but misses.

Well bowled! A bumper, across the batter, sticking into the surface. James Neesham tries to whack it away but ends up placing it to cover.

Short in length, outside off. Clarkson again charges down and ramps it to deep point for a run.

Another dot! A skiddy length delivery on middle. Clarkson steps down and swings hard but misses. The ball bounces just over the stumps.

Bangs it short and outside off, it shoots off the deck. Clarkson looks to pull but misses.

A slower length delivery, outside off. James Neesham clears his front leg and miscues his cut shot on the off side for a single.

Gerald Coetzee is back on. 11 runs off his two overs so far.

FOUR! Nicely played! Shorter delivery, width on offer outside off. Josh Clarkson opens the bat face and steers it through backward point for a boundary.

Hard length delivery on middle. Josh Clarkson tries to fend it away but misses and it lobs off the pads to point.

Josh Clarkson is the next batter in.

OUT! TAKEN! The 50-run stand is broken! Jacobs had no option but to go after everything. Back of a length, around off. Jacobs tries to force his shot with the angle over long on but fails to hit it cleanly. Dian Forrester at long on takes a simple catch. South Africa needed this wicket badly.

A yorker delivery, angling on leg. Jacobs fails to get down quickly and gets hit on the boots. A muted appeal for LBW, clearly going down.

FOUR! Beats the fielder! Tad fuller, around off. Jacobs stands tall and powers it over cover. The long off fielder runs across but in vain. These two have added 52 runs in 30 balls.

Short of a length, around off. James Neesham pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

20 runs off the last over. South Africa are allowing New Zealand to get into the game. Ottneil Baartman replaces Prenelan Subrayen.

James Neesham keeps the strike as he plays this fuller delivery through covers for a single.

FOUR! Well played! Looped up, fuller and around off. James Neesham launches it down the ground to long off for a boundary.

CHANCE! Gerald Coetzee makes a mess of it! Tossed up, fuller and on middle. James Neesham slogs with the turn but top edges it to square leg. George Linde did not look comfortable as he gets underneath and fails to even grasp the ball.

Slows up the pace, bowls it flat and outside off. Jacobs flat-bats it to long off for a single.

SIX! AND AGAIN! Floats it very full and in the slot. Jacobs picks it up off his pads and whips it behind square leg for a biggie.

SIX! HIT AWAY! Pushes it full and well outside off. Jacobs uses the width to free his arms, he launches it over cover. Just over the fielder there for a six. 100 is up for New Zealand.

Keshav Maharaj changes ends.

Into the surface, tad short and around off. Jacobs strokes it to cover for one. An ecnomical spell from Prenelan Subrayen (4-0-22-0) comes to an end.

Flatter delivery, outside off. James Neesham crunches it to deep cover for a single.

Too full and around off. Jacobs punches it down to long off for a single.

Prenelan Subrayen targets the legs of Jacobs as he serves it on leg. Jacobs misses his swing and it rolls off the pads to short third man.

Flatter delivery, around off. James Neesham steers it behind point for a single.

A bit short and around off. James Neesham gets low and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a couple. The fielder runs to his right and dives to stop it.

FOUR! Glorious shot! Pitched up, outside off. The tall Jacobs picks up nicely as he lifts it over extra-cover for a one-bounce four.

Nagging length delivery, jagging back in on middle. Jacobs clips it between square leg and mid-wicket for a couple.

Bangs it short and on leg. James Neesham shuffles across and pulls it past mid-wicket for a single.

Back of a length, around off. Neesham guides it away to point.

Pushes it full and onto the stumps. James Neesham solidly defends.

Bye! Lovely delivery. A good length delivery, outside off and nipping back in sharply. Jacobs tries to go downtown but misses and the ball makes a lte movement, past the off pole and to the left of the keeper for a bye.

A hint of turn, on a length, on off. Neesham steers it to backward point.

On a nagging length, on middle. Bevon backs away and pushes it to long off for one.

Short and flat, on middle. Bevon pats it back to the bowler.

Just short! A bit short, on off, Neesham pumps it down the ground but fails to get the desired elevation. Hits it flat to long on, where Wiaan Mulder runs in off the ropes and dives forward but the ball does not carry. He does well to gather the ball on the half-volley. Just a single.

Short and turning into the pads. Jacobs looks to tickle it fine. Gets an inside edge onto the pads and it dribbles towards short fine leg. Ottneil Baartman dives to his right there and gets a hand on it. The ball slows down before the ropes and Baartman hauls it in. Jacobs collects three.

Darted in, short and on middle. Neesham drops it towards square leg for a single.

SIX! Straight as an arrow! Flighted delivery from around the wicket, full and on middle. Jacobs takes a step towards the ball and launches it towards the sight screen with a clean swing of the arms.

Full and on the pads. This is eased wide of mid-wicket for a run.

On the off stump, full in length. Neesham stabs it down.

Floated up, on leg, Neesham defends it out.

James Neesham walks out next in the middle for the Kiwis.

OUT! DRAGGED ON! Nick Kelly could never really get going. Maharaj pushes it through, on the shorter side, on middle and leg. Kelly hops back for the pull again but the ball skids through to catch the inside edge and it goes on to hit the leg pole. New Zealand are 69/4, needing 119 runs in 58 balls.

FOUR! Hit hard and wide enough! Fractionally short, on middle and leg. Nick Kelly goes on the back foot in a flash and hammers the pull wide of deep mid-wicket. The fielder in the deep is not far away but the ball skips across the turf and he is beaten to his left.

DRINKS! South Africa have a tight grip on this contest so far, the top order back in the dugout and Nick Kelly struggling to find a footing. Bevon Jacobs is someone who can turn this game upside down in a matter of 2-3 overs and the Proteas will be aiming to get rid of him quickly to get an even tighter hold on proceedings.

This keeps coming in with the angle, on a length. Kelly taps it to long on for one.

Quicker one, full and wide outside off, Nick Kelly tries to muscle it through the covers but gets beaten.

Floated around off, Nick Kelly backs away and punches this to short covers for a dot.

Short and around the hips. Jacobs turns it behind square leg for a run.

Sliding across the right-hander from around the wicket. A tentative prod by Jacobs and he is beaten on the outside edge.

Bowls it flat and short, on middle. Kelly punches it to deep cover for one.

Sliding on with the arm from around the wicket, full and on middle. Jacobs drives it back to Maharaj. New Zealand need 126 runs in 66 balls.

OUT! RUN OUT! South Africa have a breakthrough. Keshav Maharaj tosses it up, touch fuller, outside off and turning away. Robinson tries to lift it over cover but slices it over Tony de Zorzi there. The batter calls for two, but Jason Smith from deep runs in, picks up and throws it at the batter's end. Robinson dives but he looks short to the naked eye. The replay loads and shows Robinson was well out of his crease.

Looped up a bit, fuller and on middle. Nick Kelly eases it down to long on for a single.

Attacks the stumps with a fuller delivery. Nick Kelly punches it to cover.

Keeps it full and around off. Robinson hits it down to long off for a single.

Tossed up, fuller and around off. Nick Kelly crunches it through covers for a single.

A bit too full and on off. Robinson sweeps it wide of deep square leg for a couple of runs.

Call is for two, they settle with a run. Prenelan follows Kelly on the leg side with a shorter delivery. Kelly mistimes his pull shot to mid-wicket for a single.

Angles it full and on middle. Robinson nudges it to mid-wicket for a single.

Prenelan Subrayen attacks the stumps with a fuller delivery. Robinson makes room to go inside-out but miscues his shot, back to the bowler.

Serves it full and around off. Nick Kelly knocks it down to long off for a single.

Prenelan Subrayen serves it short, following the batter on the leg side. Nick Kelly steps back and hammers it through covers for a brace.

A bit too full and on off, Nick Kelly nudges it to mid-wicket and calls for two but as he turns back near the non-striker's end, he slips. They settle with a run.

Flat and on middle, holds its line. Nick Kelly makes room and cuts it hard but straight to cover.

Drops it full and around off, skids a bit. Robinson works off the outer half of the blade to cover for one. 50 is up for New Zealand.

Slightly short and around off, turning in. Nick Kelly cuts it to deep point for a single.

Pushes it full and in line of the stumps. Nick Kelly watchfully blocks it out.

Fuller delivery, around off. Robinson leans and drives it to long off for a single.

Wide! Linde slides it very full and down leg. Robinson looks to sweep but misses.

A play and a miss! Going across off, on a length, Kelly stays on the back foot but exposes all three stumps to get it through the off side. The ball leaves him with the angle to beat him on the outside edge. At the end of Powerplay, New Zealand are 46/2, needing 142 runs in 84 balls.

On a hard length, over middle. Kelly rides the bounce and stabs it down on the off side.

Out goes Dane Cleaver, in comes Nick Kelly.

OUT! IN THE AIR AND GONE! Ottneil Baartman strikes in his first over. He keeps it full, around off. Dane Cleaver walks across the stumps and takes the risk of going across the line. The ball straightens a touch after landing to take the leading edge. It is skied towards point, where Jason Smith makes no mistake this time. He settles under it and takes the catch close to his chest.

Full and around the off stump. Robinson shimmies across the sticks and brings his bottom hand into play. The bat turns in his hand but he manages to get it away to the right of mid-wicket. The deep fine leg fielder sprints to his left and prevents the boundary. Three runs taken.

At the sticks, on the fuller side. Cleaver gives the bowler the charge and goes hard at it. Miscues it off an inside edge to deep mid-wicket for one.

Shaping back into the right-hander, on a good length, on middle and leg. Dane Cleaver shuffles across to the off side for the scoop but misses. The ball bounces over the stumps.

Rapped on the pads! Full and attacking the front pad. Dane takes a step across the stumps to flick it away. Ekes out an inside edge onto the pads and picks up a single as the ball goes away on the leg side.

This spins away, on a good length, on off. Dane rocks back to punch it away but mistimes it to cover.

Wide! Slows it down, full and down leg. Dane gets down on a knee for the sweep but does not connect. Third wide of the over.

Low full toss, on middle. Robinson knocks it to long off and gets to the other end.

Nearly sneaked through! This keeps sliding on with the arm, at the sticks. Tim goes back to a full ball but manages to keep it out.

Good stop! Shorter and on off, a bit of extra bounce. Dane hops back to punch it away. Jason Smith slides to his left at extra cover and cuts it off. Just a single.

Wide! Fired down leg again, Cleaver fails to get the sweep away. Wide given.

Wide! Sprayed down leg, full in length. Dane Cleaver sweeps but misses.

Floated up, around off. Dane brings out the reverse but fails to connect. He gets rapped on the pads but well outside the line of the off stump.

George Linde is brought into the attack.

A single to end an eventful over. Full and on middle. Dane Cleaver squeezes out an inside edge to mid on and takes a single to keep the strike. 17 runs off the over.

FOUR! Nicely done! Mulder goes back to bowling it short, on off. Dane Cleaver backs away and waits for the ball to arrive. He gets under it and plays the upper cut over the keeper for a boundary.

FOUR! Easy pickings! Too straight, full and sliding onto the pads. Dane Cleaver does not miss out on putting it away. Smears it to the right of the man at short fine leg for a four.

FOUR! ANOTHER CHANCE! Mulder stays short, on off. Dane makes room and throws the kitchen sink at it. The ball flies off a thickish outside edge to short third, where Gerald Coetzee leaps and sticks out his right hand over his head. He can only get fingertips to it before the ball races away.

DROPPED AGAIN! Mulder bends his back and goes short, on off, Dane flays at it. Dian Forrester runs across to his left at deep backward point and extends his hands out in front but the ball drops on him. The ball clips his fingertips and goes down.

On a length, on off, Dane Cleaver walks across the stumps and plays the scoop. He gets enough bat on it to clear the backtracking Ottneil Baartman at short fine leg. Dane collects a couple of runs.

DROPPED! Jason Smith shells it. On top of off, on a good length. Cleaver jumps out of the crease and throws his hands at the ball. Hits it straight to cover, where the ball dips on Smith, but he had it covered as he dived forward. The ball bursts through his hands and goes behind. Single taken.

A sharp and quick bumper at the bodyline of the batter. Dane Cleaver ducks under it.

Around leg, on a short of a length. Tim shovels it down to deep fine leg for a run.

Another swing and a miss! Bashes the hard length, does Coetzee, over off and middle. Tim stays leg side of the ball and has a hoick across the line, only to miss.

Not far away from crashing into the stumps! Wobble seam ball at 148 kph, on a good length, on off. Robinson stays rooted to the crease and swings for the hills. The ball cuts back in to beat the inside edge but the bounce takes it over the off stump.

In the channel, on a good length, Cleaver dances down the track to go big on the leg side. Miscues it off the inner half to mid on for a single.

Into the wicket, on middle. Tim keeps it out off the back foot.

FOUR! Stand and deliver! In and around the off stump, on a back of a length, Robinson stands tall and lofts it with a high elbow to the right of mid off for a boundary.

Leg bye! Slightly too straight, at the hips. Cleaver is beaten on the flick. The ball goes off the pads behind square leg for a leg bye.

Dane Cleaver walks in at number 3.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Strangled down leg. An innocuous delivery, but Wiaan Mulder will take it. Sliding down leg, on a length. Clarke has a swing at it to get it away. The ball catches his gloves before going behind to the keeper. Connor Esterhuizen moves to his left and gobbles it up with ease. New Zealand are 11/1, chasing 188.

Tucking the batter up for room with a good-length delivery. Tim nurdles it behind square leg and crosses over.

Moving away in the air, on a good length, Robinson gets on top of the bounce and punches it wide of deep cover for a couple of runs.

Wiaan Mulder to share the attack.

Drifting onto the pads, on the fuller side. Robinson brings his wrists into play and works it through square leg. The ball does not have enough legs to reach the fence, and the deep fine leg fielder mops it up. Three runs taken.

Full and on off. Katene advances and firms the drive in front of mid off for a single.

Angled into the right-hander, on a hard length. Clarke stabs it down on the leg side.

Fuller and a hint of away shape, on off and middle. Tim Robinson moves away from the stumps towards the leg side and has a swing across the line. Miscues it off a leading edge over point. The deep third fielder gets around and slides to push the ball away from the fence. He saves a run for his side. Tim is off the mark with three runs.

Ouch, a painful blow! Extra bounce on display again, on a nagging length, on middle. Tim Robinson hangs back to deal with it but the ball nips back a touch to beat him on the inside edge and catches him on the box. Robinson is quick to get back up on his feet.

Clarke and New Zealand are away with a quick single. Gerald Coetzee hits the deck hard and gets the ball to deck away with a bit of lift from the surface. Katene rises with the bounce and drops it on the off side before hurrying to the other end.

A single to end the innings! Dug in short, over middle. Smith swivels for the pull but does not pick the slower one. Gets an inside edge onto the body and he is called through for a single by Forrester as the ball drops at his feet. South Africa finish with 187.

A swing and a miss! Sears takes pace off and bowls it on a good length, outside off. Smith swings at it but fails to lay any bat on it.

OUT! IN THE AIR AND GONE! Connor Esterhuizen will be disappointed with himself. The ball was there to be hit, but a fine knock nonetheless. Ben Sears tries the yorker but it comes out as a thigh-high full toss, on off. Esterhuizen looks to launch it down the ground but gets the height and not the distance. James Neesham settles under the skier at long off and makes no mistake. End of a sparkling knock from Connor, 75 runs off 33 balls.

FOUR! Put away with ease! Cross-seam delivery by Sears. Too full, too wide and Esterhuizen does not miss out. Connor extends his hands and carves it over cover for a four.

SIX! Incredible shot! Sears bashes the surface, over off. Connor Esterhuizen stays deep in the crease and stands tall to play it on the up. Lofts it off the back foot, away from the man at deep cover to his right for a six.

Two is the call, and they get it! Low full toss, on off. Connor Esterhuizen just checks his shot and whips it to the right of long on for a brace. The 50-run stand comes up in just 24 balls.

19 came off the 19th over. Ben Sears will be bowling the final over of this innings.

SIX! That has gone back many a mile! Kyle Jamieson goes searching for the yorker but ends up serving a low full toss, across off. Dian Forrester climbs into it as he smokes it beyond deep mid-wicket for a six. Parks it on the tent on the grass banks.

Going across the left-hander, on a length, Dian Forrester is through the swing early and fails to connect.

Nails the yorker, angled in at the toes. Connor jams it out through wide mid on for one.

SIX! All the way! Kyle Jamieson goes short but fails to get it high enough to trouble the batter. On middle, Connor Esterhuizen stands tall and unleashes the pull over deep mid-wicket for half a dozen. That will add to the frustration of Jamieson.

FOUR! Smashed! Pitched up, full and on middle. Connor Esterhuizen clears the front leg and drills it to the left of long on for a boundary.

PUT DOWN! Tougher chance than the previous one but Katene Clarke should have taken it, having got there. Full and at the sticks. Connor Esterhuizen has a swing across the line but he does so so very early. Skies it towards the vacant mid-wicket region, where Clarke runs in off the ropes and bends to take the catch around his left knee but cannot cling on. Connor collects a couple of runs.

FIFTY for Connor Esterhuizen! Maiden T20I fifty in the last game and Connor has followed it up with another half-century. Banged in short, over middle. Esterhuizen pulls it through mid-wicket for a single to bring up a 25-ball fifty.

DROPPED! Bevon Jacobs has put down a sitter. Low full toss, across off. Dian Forrester swings to go down the ground but gets it right off the toe end of the blade. It goes straight down the throat of long on, where Jacobs runs in off the ropes. The ball hits his palm before dropping to the ground.

Leg bye! Off-pace delivery, angled into the pads, on a length. Esterhuizen misses out on the glance. The batters sneak in a leg bye as the ball dribbles beside the strip on the leg side.

Right at the base of the middle stump. Forrester digs it out to extra cover for a single.

Dug in short, pace taken off, on off. Dian swings for the pull but fails to pick the change of pace and ends up missing.

FOUR! Nicely done! Not much wrong with the ball. Wide yorker from Foulkes, near the tramline. Dian Forrester reaches out and gets low to slice it over the man at short third for a boundary. The 150 is up for South Africa.

SIX! Onto the grass banks! Cole McConchie errs in his length as he allows the batter to get right under the ball. On a length, on middle and leg. Esterhuizen clears the front leg and deposits it behind square leg for a biggie. 15 runs off the over!

Right in the blockhole, in line with the leg stump. Connor Esterhuizen plays the sweep but can't get it past short fine leg.

SIX! Hit flat and hard! Sliding across the right-hander, on a length, Connor Esterhuizen gets down on a knee and nails the slog sweep wide of deep mid-wicket for his third six.

Very full, not allowing the batter to get under the ball. Dian Forrester can only hit this along the ground to long off. They cross.

Leg bye! Flat and short, around leg, Connor Esterhuizen crouches and looks to swing it away behind square but fails to lay any bat on it. A leg bye is taken as the ball goes towards short fine leg.

Pushed through, full and on off, Forrester knocks it down to long off and crosses over.

Short and on middle and off, Dian Forrester fends this through square leg for a single.

Good length, onto the pads, Dian Forrester flicks this through mid-wicket and takes a couple.

Another excellent bit of ground fielding from Kelly as he half-stops a rocket from the bat of Dian Forrester and saves two for the side. On a length, around off, Dian Forrester pumps this visciously towards the left of Kelly at mid off. Kelly puts in a dive, gets a bit of hand to it and takes the sting out of it. Keeps it down to two.

Short and around off, Dian Forrester cuts this square through point for a couple.

Short and around off, Dian Forrester swings and misses.

OUT! SCORCHER FROM KELLY! Heavy ball, into the batter from Ben Sears. Rubin Hermann rocks onto his back foot and goes for a pull but ends up mistiming it and the ball hangs towards the space at mid on. Nick Kelly reads the flight of it early and runs across from mid off to mid on, puts in a dive, grabs it one-handed into his left hand and manages to hold onto it. An absolute stunner from Nick Kelly to send Rubin Hermann back in the dugout.

FOUR! Glorious from Connor. Pitched-up delivery, around off, Connor Esterhuizen presses towards the pitch of the ball and drives this all along the ground through the extra cover region for a boundary.

Low full toss, wide of off, Rubin Hermann thumps this down to long off for a run.

On a length, around off, Connor Esterhuizen gets an inside edge onto the pads for a single as the ball rolls through silly point.

SIX! Dismissed from the get-go. Short and around middle and leg, Connor Esterhuizen gets indie the line and pulls this out of the park towards the deep square leg region for a massively hit biggie.

Wide yorker, around off, Rubin Hermann punches this to long off for a strike rotation.

Full and on off, Connor Esterhuizen pumps this down the ground to long on for a run.

Good length, on off, Connor Esterhuizen drives this through mid off for one.

Back of a length, around off, Connor Esterhuizen punches this straight back to the bowler to his left. Kyle Jamieson gets a bit of hand to it and the ball diverts off its actual trajectory and goes just past the stumps on the other end, where Rubin Hermann was struggling to make his ground after backing up initially.

FOUR! Short and around leg, Connor Esterhuizen once again, shuffles across, gets inside the line and dabs this through the left of short fine leg for a boundary.

WIDE! Back of a length, down the leg again, Connor Esterhuizen gets inside the line and looks for a flick but misses out. Wide given.

WIDE! Full and wide down the leg, Connor Esterhuizen goes for a flick and misses. Wided.

Back of a length, around middle and leg, Rubin Hermann mistimes the pull and gets it away through mid-wicket for one run.

Slower one, going across the batter, around off, Rubin Hermann swings at it a bit too hard and misses out.

On a length, going across the batter around his off-pole. Rubin Hermann goes for a slog but ends up getting a top edge that lands towards deep third and the batters take a brace.

FOUR! Finally, Connor gets hold of one and hits this in the gap for four. Full toss, wide outside off, Connor Esterhuizen drives this aerially, over the fielder at extra cover for a boundary.

A slower full-toss, dropping on the batter, Connor Esterhuizen flicks it from around his knees and lands this in the empty pocket around long leg for a couple of runs.

Low full-toss, around off, Rubin Hermann hammers this down the ground for another rotation of strike.

A tad too full, around middle and off, Connor Esterhuizen pushes this down to long on for a strike rotation.

Full and wide of off, Rubin Hermann gets it away in the gap for a single down to long on.

On a length around the pads, Connor Esterhuizen flicks this to deep mid-wicket for a strike rotation.

NO BALL! A beamer from Josh around off, Connor Esterhuizen shuffles across and looks for the ramp but misses. No ball is signalled by the on-field umpire.

Floated around off, Connor Esterhuizen rocks back onto his back foot and punches this in the gap for a run.

Tossed up, around off, Rubin Hermann smashes this to wide long on for a single.

Full and on off, Connor Esterhuizen drills this down the ground for one.

SIX! This can be taken as a dropped chance as well, with the way modern cricket is going. Tossed up, wide outside off, Connor Esterhuizen slogs this but gets more elevation than distance on it. The ball hangs around the boundary cushion at long on. Nick Kelly settles himself underneath but had to arch back a bit to attempt a rally catch but fails to even grab it and the ball lands on the other side of the rope for a biggie.

Darted into the batter, around middle and leg, Rubin Hermann goes deep inside the crease and nudges this through mid-wicket for a run.

Fuller around the pads, Connor Esterhuizen flicks this through mid-wicket for a single.

A really tough chance goes begging. Slower one, around off, on a length. Rubin Hermann stays leg side and swings at it. Doesn't connect well as the ball catches the inner half of the blade and flies to the right of Josh Clarkson in his follow-through. Josh gets low and in time but the ball strikes his right palm and pops out.

Hard length, on top of off, going across the batter. Rubin punches this to mid off for a dot.

Back of a length, around middle and leg, Connor Esterhuizen gently flicks this through square leg and takes a run.

Short and wide of off, Connor Esterhuizen cuts this square and past the fielder at backward point to his right for a couple.

Good length, around off, Connor Esterhuizen gets up on his toes and pushes this to point.

Connor Esterhuizen is the next batter in for South Africa.

OUT! CAUGHT! Josh Clarkson strikes on his first ball of this contest. Josh bowls a heavy ball, around off, shaping a hint away from the batter. Wiaan Mulder goes for a wild swing of his bat and ends up getting only a leading edge that hangs over the skipper of New Zealand, James Neesham, at covers. Neesham settles himself underneath and holds onto it. Wiaan Mulder departs for 31 (29).

Time for a drinks break. It has been a better showing from the Proteas to this point with Wiaan Mulder finally stepping up with the bat. Rubin Hermann started well but has been starved of strike and that might give the home side an opening against the southpaw. NZ will be hunting wickets as the Proteas still have a lot of firepower left in their tank.

Length delivery, outside off. Wiaan Mulder works it to deep point for a single. Much needed over from New Zealand. Just 3 runs off it.

Oh, almost chopped on. A slower delivery, into the surface and on leg. Wiaan Mulder makes room to tuck it away but miscues and the ball almost rolls back onto the stumps.

Shorter delivery, angling on leg. Wiaan Mulder tries to hoick it away but misses.

Bowls in line of the stumps, length delivery. Hermann turns it to mid-wicket for a single.

Back of a length, around off. Wiaan Mulder pulls off the inner half of the blade to long on for a single.

Angles in a length ball on leg. Wiaan Mulder backsaway, trying to fend it away but mistimes it back to Sears.

FOUR! HIT HARD! Pace off again, touch short and outside off. Hermann powers it over McConchie's head and it races down to the long off fence. 18 runs off the over.

Slows up the pace and changes the angle, this is flat and outside off. Hermann punches it to cover.

Fuller ball, around off. Wiaan Mulder tucks it to long on for a single.

SIX! No one is stopping that. A half-tracker, around off, asking to be hit. Wiaan Mulder pulls it high and handsomely over mid-wicket for a biggie. Pressure on Cole McConchie.

SIX! Much needed for Mulder! Not that short, this is around off. Mulder rocks back, clears his front leg and powers it to deep mid-wicket. The fielder runs to his right and leaps but fails to hold on. Would have been an exceptional catch.

Tossed up, in line of the stumps. Hermann flicks it to deep square leg for a single.

Lovely end to the over. Seams away off the deck, hard length and outside off. Wiaan Mulder fails to connect the width on offer.

Slides it on a length and on leg. Wiaan Mulder looks to flick it away but misses. It brushes the pads on its way to the keeper.

James Neesham just called the fielder at fine leg in. Pushes it very full and around off. Wiaan Mulder scoops it over the keeper. Ben Sears runs back from short fine leg and boots it away to save a couple.

Back of a length delivery, on top of off. Wiaan Mulder steps back and hammers it to cover. Zakary Foulkes dives to his right and saves a certain boundary.

Wide! Too short, outside off. Wiaan Mulder steps across to paddle it away but misses.

FOUR! In the slot, fuller and on middle. Wiaan Mulder meets it with a straight bat, he lifts it down the ground, past Nick Kelly's dive from long on. A boundary. Fifty is up for South Africa.

James bangs it into the surface and around off, gets big on the batter. Wiaan Mulder makes a bit of room as he charges down but fails to hit it away.

James Neesham is into the attack.

Tossed up on middle. Wiaan Mulder bunts it to deep mid-wicket for a run.

Oh, could have gone anywhere! Cole McConchie slows up the pace as he pushes it onto the pads. Wiaan Mulder walks forward to flick but gets a leading edge, and it balloons in front of the cover fielder.

Tosses it up, around off, drifts in with the arm. Hermann knocks it through covers for one more.

Length delivery, around off. Hermann goes back and nudges it through mid-wicket for a brace.

Flatter, slower and outside off. Hermann punches it hard but straight to cover.

Tossed up, fuller and around off. Wiaan Mulder crunches it through covers for a single.

South Africa will be happy with the Powerplay. They have started well under unfavourable conditions. Also, spin for the first time today, here is Cole McConchie.

FOUR! Ends the Powerplay well. Short in length and around off. Hermann picks the length and helps it over mid-wicket for a boundary.

Touch fuller, outside off. Hermann punches it to cover.

Very full and on middle. Hermann firmly hits it down the ground. Wiaan was out of his crease as the ball hits the non-striker's end but Zakary Foulkes was walking away in his follow-through.

CHANCE! Into the surface, hard length and tailing on leg. Hermann whips it straight to short fine leg. The fielder dives forward and to his left but the ball was dipping just towards him. He half-stops for a couple of runs.

Shorter and on middle and leg. Wiaan Mulder pulls it to deep square leg for a couple of runs.

Pushes it full and outside off, nipping in. Wiaan Mulder drags his shot to the left of mid-wicket. The fielder dives, picks off one-hand and eyes the non-striker's end. Hermann was just in.

Change from both ends? Nope, Zakary Foulkes to bowl another over.

FOUR! Beats the fielder! Drops it short and on the leg side. Hermann controls his pull shot and hits it past square leg for a boundary. 14 runs off the over.

Back of a length, around off, the off-cutter from Sears. Hermann tries to push it away but misses.

FOUR! Intent from Rubin. Overpitched, around off. Hermann does not miss out this time, he firmly hits it through extra-cover, in the gap for a boundary.

SIX! First six of the match. Sears errs a bit and bowls it on the leg line, slightly short. Hermann picks off the hips and pummels it over square leg for a six.

Into the surface, touch short and angling away from the batter on off. Hermann forces his punch shot and gets beaten.

Ben Sears pitches it up front, around off. Rubin Hermann hits it firmly but finds the man at cover.

Back of a length and on middle, Rubin Hermann tucks it to mid-wicket for a single.

BEAUTY! Back of a length, around off, holds its line off the surface. Rubin Hermann defends inside the line and gets beaten.

Tony de Zorzi goes. Rubin Hermann comes in next.

OUT! LBW! A huge appeal for LBW, up goes the finger. Tony de Zorzi walks back without even thinking of a review. Plumb in front. A yorker length delivery, shaping in from around the wicket on middle with a little bit of shape. Tony de Zorzi walks across to whip it away but the ball rolls underneath the blade and pings him on the pads. Clearly in line of the stumps. Excellent bowling so far from Zakary Foulkes.

DOT! Overpitches and serves it near the tramline, swinging away. Tony de Zorzi is rooted as he flashes his blade and connects thin air around it.

On a length and on top of off. Tony de Zorzi hops and drops it back to Foulkes. Oh, a no ball is called as Zakary Foulkes has overstepped. Free-hit coming up...

FOUR! Streaky! Tony de Zorzi throws his blade on this shorter delivery, it lands and jags away a touch. It takes the top edge and flies over the keeper to the third man fence.

Back of a length, outside off. Tony de Zorzi walks inside the line to pull it away but misses and gets hit on the body.

Three dots to end the over! On a nagging length and on middle. Wiaan Mulder watchfully defends.

Gets it to shape away drastically, this is very full, outside off. Wiaan Mulder throws his arms at it but fails to connect.

In the channel, fuller and outside off, tailing away. Wiaan Mulder swings and misses.

DROPPED! Tough one to take. Hard length delivery, wide of off. Wiaan Mulder slaps it flat to point where it comes straight to the fielder. Josh Clarkson tries to reverse cup near his head but spills it out. Two runs.

Much better from Jamieson! Short in length, around off, seaming away sharply. Wiaan Mulder stands to punch it away but misses.

FOUR! Well played! Serves it very full and on leg. Wiaan Mulder gives himself some room, picks near his legs and drills it past mid on for four runs.

Good start by Zakary Foulkes! Tony takes charge as Zakary serves it touch fuller, around off, it lands and shapes away late, past de Zorzi's wild swing across the line.

Good length delivery, slanting onto the stumps. Tony de Zorzi blocks it out to cover.

Short of a good length, outside off, comes with the angle and holds its line. Tony de Zorzi clears his front leg to heave but misses.

Zakary Foulkes gives width on the off side. Wiaan Mulder frees his arms and flashes it behind point to third man for one. Wiaan Mulder is underway after a couple of ducks in successive games.

Wide! Bowls it short, over leg and over the batter. Wiaan Mulder lets it go.

Shapes in again, touch short and on middle. Wiaan Mulder stays back and fends it onto the deck.

Fuller delivery, swinging in sharply, outside off. Wiaan Mulder tries to punch it but plays off the inner half of the bat, back to the bowler.

Zakary Foulkes to share the attack.

Slightly short and shaping away, around off. Tony de Zorzi slashes his blade across and misses.

On a good length, attacking the stumps. Tony de Zorzi keeps it out on the leg side.

FOUR! MORE! Kyle Jamieson pitches it up, looking for some swing, this is on middle. Tony de Zorzi nicely flicks itover mid-wicket and bags a boundary.

Pulls his length back and bowls it on leg. Tony de Zorzi is cramped as he tries to fend it away. Gets hit on the body as the ball rolls on the ground.

FOUR! South Africa are off the mark in style. A bit too full and wide of off, swinging away. Tony de Zorzi leans and pushes it past mid off for a boundary.

Fuller delivery, on middle and leg, swinging into the batter. Tony de Zorzi presses forward and defends.

We are all set for action. Slightly overcast conditions, but we are good to go for now. The New Zealand players are out in the middle. Tony de Zorzi and Wiaan Mulder to open for South Africa. Kyle Jamieson to bowl first. Watch out for the swing. Let's play...

South African captain - Keshav Maharaj reveals his intention to bat first, drawing confidence from the earlier women’s match, which suggests the surface suits his team’s style of play. While he acknowledges that weather and dew may become factors, he expects conditions to remain relatively stable throughout the game. Furthermore, he notes that observing the previous match on the same pitch helps his side identify effective bowling lengths and ideal scoring areas.

New Zealand captain - James Neesham elects to bowl first, noting that the pitch appears to offer an even contest between bat and ball. He observes that the visible layer of grass should provide early movement for his bowlers, which he views as a positive advantage. Furthermore, Neesham highlights that the current squad possesses significant experience playing at this particular venue. Neesham closes by saying that they are going unchanged from the preview game.

South Africa (Unchanged Playing XI) - Wiaan Mulder, Tony de Zorzi, Connor Esterhuizen (WK), Rubin Hermann, Jason Smith, Dian Forrester, George Linde, Gerald Coetzee, Keshav Maharaj (C), Prenelan Subrayen and Ottneil Baartman.

New Zealand (Unchanged Playing XI) - Tim Robinson, Katene Clarke, Dane Cleaver (WK), Nick Kelly, Bevon Jacobs, James Neesham (C), Josh Clarkson, Cole McConchie, Zakary Foulkes, Kyle Jamieson and Ben Sears.

TOSS - The flip of the coin lands in favour of James Neesham. New Zealand elect to BOWL first.

South Africa aim for a complete performance - After two underwhelming outings with the bat, the Proteas stepped up in the previous game, with noticeable improvement in the Powerplay. However, the move to open with Wiaan Mulder has not worked as expected, with the all-rounder coming into the game on the back of twin ducks. With the ball, though, it has been a collective effort from the unit. Who are you backing to clinch the series? Stay tuned for the toss and team news.

New Zealand eye a historic breakthrough - The Black Caps have never won a bilateral multi-game T20I series against South Africa, and they now have a chance to script history. They will have to do it with James Neesham at the helm, as Tom Latham misses out on the decider with a minor thumb fracture. While the batting lacks experience, their bowling unit has enough quality to get the job done.

Time for the final chapter - The dust had barely settled on the T20 World Cup when this series began, with several regulars from both sides missing. All we had hoped for was a competitive contest, and while the margins haven't always been close, the series has built up nicely to a decider. Here we are at Christchurch's Hagley Oval, with everything to play for.

... MATCH DAY ...

All roads lead to Christchurch showdown - The stage is set at Hagley Oval for a gripping series decider as New Zealand take on South Africa with the five-match contest locked at 2-2. Despite both sides missing several key names following the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 due to franchise commitments, the series has delivered high-quality, competitive cricket, underlining the depth in both camps. A tug of war heading into the finale - The series itself has been defined by sharp momentum swings. South Africa set the tone with a dominant effort in the opener, bowling New Zealand out for just 91, before the hosts responded in style with back-to-back commanding wins, defending a strong total and then sealing a comfortable chase. Just when it seemed like New Zealand had taken control, South Africa produced another composed display in the fourth game, defending 164 under pressure to force a decider. Performers emerging in the absence of giants - Individually, several players have stood out in the absence of regular stars. Devon Conway and Tom Latham have been the backbone of New Zealand’s batting, providing stability at the top and through the middle, although Latham was hit by a thumb injury that ruled him out of the fourth game, prompting James Neesham to step in and lead the Kiwis for the first time in his career. It now remains to be seen whether Latham recovers in time for this crucial decider. Nick Kelly has also chipped in with crucial runs, while with the ball, Lockie Ferguson's pace and wicket-taking ability have been key, supported well by Kyle Jamieson's discipline. For South Africa, Connor Esterhuizen has been a consistent performer with the bat, often stepping up in crunch moments, while Nqobani Mokoena's impact with the ball have added balance. Gerald Coetzee has led the pace attack with aggression, and Keshav Maharaj and George Linde's control in the middle overs has been vital in building pressure. Team form (Last 5 completed T20Is, recent first) - New Zealand - LWWLL | South Africa - WLLWL. History favours the Proteas - South Africa hold the edge in this rivalry, having won two of the three multi-game T20I series 2-1, while the other ended in a 1-1 draw, but the hosts will be eager to change those fortunes and stamp their authority at home. One game to decide it all - Heading into the decider at Hagley Oval, conditions and execution in key phases,especially the Powerplay and death overs could prove decisive. While New Zealand may carry a slight edge given home conditions and their dominant win over South Africa in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 semi-final, the Proteas' resilience ensures this contest remains finely poised. With both teams showcasing depth, adaptability and match-winners across departments, expect a fiercely contested finish where handling pressure in decisive moments will ultimately determine who clinches the series.