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New Zealand vs South Africa, 5th T20I Match Summary

NZ vs SA, 2026 - T20 Summary

New Zealand vs South Africa Scorecard
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Match Ended   
5th T20I, Hagley Oval, Christchurch , Mar 25, 2026
New Zealand New Zealand
154/8 (20.0/20)
South Africa South Africa
187/4 (20.0/20)
South Africa beat New Zealand by 33 runs
  • Player of the Match
    Connor Esterhuizen
    75(33)
  • Player of the Series
    Connor Esterhuizen
SA 187/4
Bat Top Batsmen
<a href=/cricket/players/117289-connor-esterhuizen-playerprofile>Connor Esterhuizen</a>
Connor Esterhuizen
75 (33)
  • 5x4s
  • 6x6s
  • 227.27SR
<a href=/cricket/players/129832-rubin-hermann-playerprofile>Rubin Hermann</a>
Rubin Hermann
39 (31)
  • 4x4s
  • 1x6s
  • 125.80SR
Bowl Top Bowlers
Bowler
Ben Sears
ECON 9.25
4
OVERS
37/2
R/W
Bowler
Josh Clarkson
ECON 7.00
2
OVERS
14/1
R/W
NZ 154/8
Bat Top Batsmen
<a href=/cricket/players/122376-bevon-jacobs-playerprofile>Bevon Jacobs</a>
Bevon Jacobs
36 (19)
  • 2x4s
  • 3x6s
  • 189.47SR
<a href=/cricket/players/120808-tim-robinson-playerprofile>Tim Robinson</a>
Tim Robinson
25 (20)
  • 1x4s
  • 0x6s
  • 125SR
Bowl Top Bowlers
Bowler
Gerald Coetzee
ECON 5.25
4
OVERS
21/2
R/W
Bowler
Wiaan Mulder
ECON 9.33
3
OVERS
28/2
R/W
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Adios! Keshav Maharaj has been handed over the trohy. He walks away towards his fellow teammates to pose for the cameras. While the New Zealand women’s team celebrated a dominant 4-1 series victory behind a masterclass from captain Amelia Kerr, the men’s side was unable to replicate that success in their own series decider, as both nations utilised the opportunity to test their bench strength only for the clinical visitors to walk away with the silverware. That is all from this series. Hope you enjoyed the coverage. Cheers for now.
A special comeback! Keshav Maharaj, the skipper of South Africa, says it is a wonderful opportunity for these youngsters to understand what international cricket is about. Shares that a lot of them underestimated their side with so many young players, but to see the hunger, desire and passion and to come back from 2-1 is super special. Mentions this series shows the depth in the system. They lacked experience, but to see the guys play today, it felt like an easy transition into international cricket despite some pressure behind them.
Opportunity for the youngsters! James Neesham, the New Zealand captain, acknowledges that the series has had its ups and downs, with the team fighting back in games two and three to take a 2-1 lead, but ultimately falling short due to subpar performances at the end of the series, which is disappointing given the long summer they've had since October. He notes that the scheduling is challenging, with cricket on at all times of the year, but believes that the opportunity for young players to gain experience is valuable, and that the team has seen some good moments and tough options, with the young players likely to take away valuable experience to improve themselves. He feels that the team has batted and bowled okay, but the fielding has been below par, and that South Africa's quality bowling attack has given their batters a taste of the next level.
Backing his instincts! For his career-best score today and a total of 200 runs across the five matches, Connor Esterhuizen wins the Player of the Match and the Player of the Series! Connor expressed his gratitude and credited his team's top-order batters for setting a solid platform, allowing him to play freely. He recalls ball striking to natural instincts and was pleased once they got past the score of 160-170, feeling confident that crossing it would make it challenging for the opposing team. Adds that the ball travelled nicely and the outfield was really quick. If red-ball cricket helped him in this format, Connor says it is a great back-to-basics format that helps you in T20 cricket. On playing for the country, Connor says they dream of playing for South Africa and adds that it is a special and humbling feeling.
...Presentation...
New Zealand failed to show up - The Black Caps’ struggle in the field set the stage for a difficult chase, having conceded a few too many runs in the first innings, and their response with the bat saw them falter completely. Already hampered by an inexperienced batting lineup, New Zealand desperately needed a solid platform, but instead found themselves reeling at 69/4 after a disastrous start. While Bevon Jacobs injected some much-needed impetus with a brisk 36 off 19 balls, his efforts weren't enough to repair the damage. The final blow to the Kiwis' hopes came with the dismissal of their skipper, James Neesham, which effectively ended the resistance. South Africa’s bowling unit was clinical in defense, while Gerald Coetzee, Wiaan Mulder, and Ottniel Baartman all finished with two wickets apiece. It was the overall discipline and collective execution from the visitors that smothered the chase and secured the series.
Proteas' charge with the bat! Despite the ball moving significantly early on, the Proteas showed immense composure to navigate the powerplay, losing just a single wicket. While the 55-run stand between Wiaan Mulder and Rubin Hermann provided the necessary stability, it was the explosive partnership between Dian Forrester and Connor Esterhuizen that ultimately took the game away from the Black Caps.  Their aggressive middle-order charge effectively killed the contest as South Africa ended with plenty on board despite the conditions helping the bowlers.
South Africa completes a comeback - Rising from a 2-1 deficit to clinch the series 3-2, South Africa completed a brilliant turnaround with a clinical performance against New Zealand under challenging conditions. This 3-2 comeback isn't just a series win, it’s a historic breakthrough for the Proteas. This marks South Africa’s first away bilateral series victory since August 2022, ending a long drought on foreign soil.
Over 20 : 154/8
5 Runs
  • W 19.1
  • 219.2
  • 119.3
  • 1 LB 19.4
  • 019.5
  • 119.6
K. Jamieson
4 (4)
Z. Foulkes
4 (2)
W. Mulder
3-0-28-2
19.6
1
Wiaan Mulder To Kyle Jamieson
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.
19.5
0
Wiaan Mulder To Kyle Jamieson
Bowls a bouncer, on middle and leg. Kyle Jamieson looks to pull but misses.
19.4
lb
Wiaan Mulder To Zakary Foulkes
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.
19.3
1
Wiaan Mulder To Kyle Jamieson
Short of a length, around off. Kyle Jamieson pulls it away to deep mid-wicket for a single.
19.2
2
Wiaan Mulder To Kyle Jamieson
Back of a length on middle. Kyle Jamieson punches on the up to mid off for a couple of runs.
19.1
W
Wiaan Mulder To James Neesham OUT!
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.
Over 19 : 149/7
8 Runs
  • 218.1
  • W 18.2
  • 118.3
  • 118.4
  • W 18.5
  • 418.6
Z. Foulkes
4 (1)
J. Neesham
24 (23)
G. Coetzee
4-0-21-2
18.6
4
Gerald Coetzee To Zakary Foulkes
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.
18.5
W
Gerald Coetzee To Cole McConchie OUT!
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.
18.4
1
Gerald Coetzee To James Neesham
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.
18.3
1
Gerald Coetzee To Cole McConchie
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.
18.2
W
Gerald Coetzee To Josh Clarkson OUT!
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.
18.1
2
Gerald Coetzee To Josh Clarkson
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.
Over 18 : 141/5
14 Runs
  • 417.1
  • 117.2
  • 217.3
  • 417.4
  • 1 WD 17.5
  • 1 LB 17.5
  • 117.6
J. Clarkson
11 (8)
J. Neesham
23 (22)
O. Baartman
4-0-33-2
17.6
1
Ottneil Baartman To Josh Clarkson
Pushes it full and angling around off. Clarkson bends low and hits it down to long on for a single.
17.5
lb
Ottneil Baartman To James Neesham
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.
17.5
wd
Ottneil Baartman To James Neesham
Wide! Too short, down leg. James Neesham lets it be.
17.4
4
Ottneil Baartman To James Neesham
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.
17.3
2
Ottneil Baartman To James Neesham
Ottneil Baartman pitches it up, close to the off pole. James Neesham squeezes it out through covers for a brace.
17.2
1
Ottneil Baartman To Josh Clarkson
A yorker, just outside off. Clarkson opens the bat face and guides it to short third man for a run.
Full Commentary
20 OV
5 Runs
W. Mulder to J. Neesham K. Jamieson Z. Foulkes
  • W 19.1
  • 219.2
  • 119.3
  • 1 LB 19.4
  • 019.5
  • 119.6
19 OV
8 Runs
G. Coetzee to J. Clarkson C. McConchie J. Neesham Z. Foulkes
  • 218.1
  • W 18.2
  • 118.3
  • 118.4
  • W 18.5
  • 418.6
18 OV
14 Runs
O. Baartman to J. Clarkson J. Neesham
  • 417.1
  • 117.2
  • 217.3
  • 417.4
  • 1 WD 17.5
  • 1 LB 17.5
  • 117.6
17 OV
2 Runs
G. Coetzee to J. Neesham J. Clarkson
  • 116.1
  • 016.2
  • 016.3
  • 116.4
  • 016.5
  • 016.6
16 OV
9 Runs
O. Baartman to J. Neesham B. Jacobs J. Clarkson
  • 115.1
  • 415.2
  • 015.3
  • W 15.4
  • 015.5
  • 415.6
15 OV
20 Runs
K. Maharaj to B. Jacobs J. Neesham
  • 614.1
  • 614.2
  • 114.3
  • 214.4
  • 414.5
  • 114.6
14 OV
6 Runs
P. Subrayen to J. Neesham B. Jacobs
  • 213.1
  • 113.2
  • 013.3
  • 113.4
  • 113.5
  • 113.6
13 OV
8 Runs
O. Baartman to B. Jacobs J. Neesham
  • 1 B 12.1
  • 012.2
  • 012.3
  • 112.4
  • 212.5
  • 412.6
12 OV
6 Runs
P. Subrayen to J. Neesham B. Jacobs
  • 111.1
  • 311.2
  • 111.3
  • 011.4
  • 111.5
  • 011.6
11 OV
11 Runs
K. Maharaj to N. Kelly J. Neesham B. Jacobs
  • 410.1
  • W 10.2
  • 010.3
  • 010.4
  • 110.5
  • 610.6
10 OV
3 Runs
P. Subrayen to N. Kelly B. Jacobs
  • 19.1
  • 09.2
  • 19.3
  • 09.4
  • 09.5
  • 19.6
9 OV
4 Runs
K. Maharaj to N. Kelly T. Robinson B. Jacobs
  • 18.1
  • 18.2
  • 08.3
  • 18.4
  • W 8.5
  • 08.6
8 OV
7 Runs
P. Subrayen to N. Kelly T. Robinson
  • 27.1
  • 17.2
  • 07.3
  • 17.4
  • 17.5
  • 27.6
7 OV
5 Runs
G. Linde to T. Robinson N. Kelly
  • 1 WD 6.1
  • 16.1
  • 06.2
  • 16.3
  • 16.4
  • 06.5
  • 16.6
6 OV
4 Runs
O. Baartman to D. Cleaver T. Robinson N. Kelly
  • 05.1
  • 15.2
  • 35.3
  • W 5.4
  • 05.5
  • 05.6
5 OV
6 Runs
G. Linde to D. Cleaver T. Robinson
  • 04.1
  • 1 WD 4.2
  • 1 WD 4.2
  • 14.2
  • 04.3
  • 14.4
  • 1 WD 4.5
  • 04.5
  • 14.6
4 OV
17 Runs
W. Mulder to D. Cleaver
  • 23.1
  • 23.2
  • 43.3
  • 43.4
  • 43.5
  • 13.6
3 OV
3 Runs
G. Coetzee to D. Cleaver T. Robinson
  • 12.1
  • 02.2
  • 02.3
  • 12.4
  • 02.5
  • 12.6
2 OV
8 Runs
W. Mulder to T. Robinson K. Clarke D. Cleaver
  • 21.1
  • 11.2
  • W 1.3
  • 1 LB 1.4
  • 41.5
  • 01.6
1 OV
8 Runs
G. Coetzee to K. Clarke T. Robinson
  • 10.1
  • 00.2
  • 30.3
  • 00.4
  • 10.5
  • 30.6
Match Info
  • Venue Hagley Oval, Christchurch
  • Weather Clear
  • Toss New Zealand won the toss and elected to field
  • Result South Africa beat New Zealand by 33 runs
  • Player of the Match Connor Esterhuizen
  • Player of the Series Connor Esterhuizen
  • Umpire Kim Cotton (NZ), Wayne Knights (NZ) and Cory Black (NZ)
  • Referee Dave Gilbert (AUS)
Match Notes
  • Innings Break: South Africa 187/4 in 20.0 overs
  • C Esterhuizen dropped on 50 by K Clarke in 18.1 overs
  • D Forrester dropped on 14 by B Jacobs in 17.5 overs
  • 4th wicket partnership: 51 off 24 balls between C Esterhuizen (28) and D Forrester (21)
  • C Esterhuizen 2nd T20I fifty: 50 runs in 25 balls (3x4) (4x6)
  • South Africa 151/3 in 17.1 overs
  • South Africa 101/2 in 13.0 overs
  • R Hermann dropped on 30 by J Clarkson in 10.6 overs
  • Drinks: South Africa 76/1 in 10.0 overs
  • 2nd wicket partnership: 50 off 32 balls between W Mulder (22) and R Hermann (29)
  • W Mulder dropped on 16 by K Clarke in 8.2 overs
  • South Africa 50/1 in 7.3 overs
  • Mandatory Power play (1-6): South Africa 43/1 in 6.0 overs
  • R Hermann dropped on 15 by B Sears in 5.3 overs
  • W Mulder dropped on 5 by J Clarkson in 2.3 overs
  • New Zealand 151/8 in 19.2 overs
  • Referral 1 (19.1 ovs): SA against J Neesham (Caught) Successful (NZ: 2, SA: 2)
  • 5th wicket partnership: 52 off 30 balls between B Jacobs (35) and J Neesham (16)
  • New Zealand 102/4 in 14.1 overs
  • Drinks: New Zealand 65/3 in 10.0 overs
  • New Zealand 50/2 in 6.4 overs
  • Mandatory Power play (1-6): New Zealand 46/2 in 6.0 overs
  • D Cleaver dropped on 6 by G Coetzee in 3.3 overs
  • D Cleaver dropped on 1 by J Smith in 2.6 overs
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