New Zealand Vs South Africa, 5th T20I Highlights: Proteas Clinch 3-2 Series Win With 33 Run Victory In Christchurch

This is the start of our live blog of the 5th T20I match between New Zealand and South Africa from the scenic Hagley Oval in Christchurch. Stay tuned for the build-up.

The series is locked at 2-2 after a back-and-forth battle. South Africa dominated the opener, skittling New Zealand for 91, but the Black Caps stormed back with consecutive wins to lead 2-1. In the fourth T20I, the Proteas defended 164 thanks to Connor Esterhuizen’s 57 and clinical spin from Keshav Maharaj, forcing today’s winner-takes-all decider at Hagley Oval.

New Zealand won the toss and elected to bowl first.

South Africa XI: Wiaan Mulder, Tony de Zorzi, Connor Esterhuizen(w), Rubin Hermann, Jason Smith, Dian Forrester, George Linde, Gerald Coetzee, Keshav Maharaj(c), Prenelan Subrayen, Ottneil Baartman

New Zealand XI: Tim Robinson, Katene Clarke, Dane Cleaver(w), Nick Kelly, Bevon Jacobs, James Neesham(c), Josh Clarkson, Cole McConchie, Zakary Foulkes, Kyle Jamieson, Ben Sears

We are underway at this beautiful stadium for the series decider. Tony de Zorzy and Wiaan Mulder will have a lot on their shoulders as they will try to negotiate the new ball and score as many runs as possible in the powerplay.

Zakary Foulkes gets the important wicket of Tony de Zorzi who departs for just 12 runs off 14 and South Africa are immediately under pressure. Not the ideal start for the Proteas in the powerplay. Rubin Hermann is the new man in.

Decent recovery made from the South Africans to end the powerplay as Wiaan Mulder and Rubin Hermann get into the act. Hermann, in particular, is looking in a good touch, scoring 25 off 16 so far.

Wiaan Mulder had to depart after playing out a decent knock of 31 off 29 but South Africa won't have many reasons to worry as Connor Esterhuizen is at the crease on 12 off just 8.

Connor Esterhuizen is batting at a strike rate of over 190 but Rubin Hermann gets dismissed for 39 off 31 in the very first ball of the 16th over by Benjamin Sears. Dian Forrester is the new man in.

Connor Esterhuizen completes his half-century -- it's his second of this series against New Zealand and the 24-year-old has easily been South Africa's best player so far.

But the job is not done yet as the Proteas will be hoping to make the most out of the remaining 2 overs.

South Africa posted a competitive 187/4 after being put in to bat. Connor Esterhuizen was the standout, smashing an unbeaten 75 off 33 balls, including six sixes. Supporting him were Rubin Hermann (39) and Wiaan Mulder (31). Ben Sears was New Zealand's best bowler, picking up 2/37.

We are back underway for the 2nd innings of this match. New Zealand have got off to a decent start, scoring at 9 runs an over in the first 4 overs but they have lost opening batter Katene Clarke cheaply for just 2 runs.

Wicket-keeper batter Dane Cleaver departs for 22 and the Kiwis will be relying on their inexperienced batting line-up to chase this total down and win the series. Nick Kelly is the new batter in.

The required run rate has spike up to 14 runs per over and New Zealand are under a bit of pressure at the moment. Their inexperience in the batting department is very evident.

Bevon Jacobs and skipper James Neesham are currently at the crease for 36 and 16 respectively.

That's it. New Zealand's inexperienced batting line-up does not have enough to seal a series win today as the visiting Proteas team wins by 33 runs to clinch the series 3-2.