SA Vs NZ, Zimbabwe T20I Tri-Series Match 2: New Zealand Begin Campaign With Convincing 21 Runs Win Over South Africa

New Zealand kicked off their T20I Tri-Series campaign in style, securing a comprehensive 22-run victory over South Africa in their opening game. After being sent in to bat first, the Black Caps recovered from a shaky start to post a competitive 173/5, before their bowlers bundled South Africa out for 152 in 18.2 overs.

Put into bat, New Zealand were jolted early with both openers—Devon Conway (9) and Tim Seifert (22)—departing inside the powerplay. A mini-collapse followed as Daryl Mitchell (5), Mitchell Hay (2), and Jimmy Neesham (0) fell in quick succession, leaving the visitors struggling at 70/5 in the 10th over.

However, the tide turned thanks to a match-defining, unbeaten 103-run stand between Tim Robinson and debutant Bevon-John Jacobs. The pair rebuilt steadily before accelerating in the death overs, with Robinson finishing on a career-best 75* and Jacobs contributing an impressive 44* on debut.

Their effort lifted New Zealand to a fighting total of 173/5. Kwena Maphaka was South Africa’s best bowler, returning figures of 2/38.

In response, South Africa started brightly with Lhuan-dre Pretorius smashing 27 off 17 balls. But once he fell in the fourth over, the Proteas collapsed to 62/5 by the ninth, losing Rubin Hermann (1), Reeza Hendricks (16), Senuran Muthusamy (7), and captain Rassie van der Dussen (6) in quick succession.

Dewald Brevis played a breezy knock of 35 off just 18 balls to briefly revive hopes, but his dismissal in the 12th over proved decisive. George Linde (30) and Gerald Coetzee (17) stitched a useful 37-run stand, but the required rate kept climbing and both fell late in the innings.

New Zealand’s bowlers were clinical. Matt Henry (3/34) and Jacob Duffy (3/20) picked up three wickets each, while Ish Sodhi chipped in with 2/34. The disciplined bowling attack ensured the Proteas fell short by 22 runs, handing New Zealand a strong start to their campaign and South Africa their first defeat of the series.

The match was marked by Robinson and Jacobs’ sixth-wicket stand—New Zealand’s highest in T20Is against South Africa—and a bowling performance that effectively defended what turned out to be a par score.