HIGHLIGHTS New Zealand vs South Africa, South Africa in New Zealand 5 T20I Series 2026, 2nd T20- Result, Scorecard

Welcome back for the chase. The hosts are out in the middle. Connor Esterhuizen and Wiaan Mulder to open for South Africa. Kyle Jamieson to bowl first. Let's play...

...THE CHASE...

South Africa have the upper hand? South Africa have done a decent job, but that final over has put extra pressure on the batting unit. The slower-cutters and pace-off deliveries are go-to on this pitch, and South Africa bowled to the conditions. While the spinners went over 10 per over, the pacers held fort by bowling tight and on the economical side. They are still the favourites to win, but New Zealand have the runs to play with as compared to the first game and will come hard at the Proteas batters. Stay tuned for the chase.

Kiwis improve with the bat - It wasn't easy going for New Zealand as, after being asked to bat first, the openers struggled to time the ball well, adding just 43 runs in the Powerplay. Devon Conway held one innings after losing Latham and Robinson. Nick Kelly and Mitchell Santner showed some intent but fell after playing a quick cameo. New Zealand continued to lose wickets regularly, but Josh Clarkson's (26 off 9) innings could prove to be pivotal in this game.

The final over drama! How big a blunder that final over could prove to be! Despite having the service of Wiaan Mulder available, Keshav Maharaj took the responsibility to close out the innings but instead conceded 24 runs off the final over, taking New Zealand towards a competitive total.

Keshav Maharaj to Josh Clarkson, FOUR! That has been hit mercilessly. Fraction short just outside off, Clarkson backs away and hammers it straight back past the bowler. It races to the ropes, to the right of long off, for four runs. 24 runs from the final over. NEW ZEALAND FINISH AT 175/6.

Keshav Maharaj to Josh Clarkson, WIDE! Reload! Clarkson shuffles in the crease and seeing that, Keshav pushes it miles outside the off stump. It crosses the tramline and a wide is called.

Keshav Maharaj to Josh Clarkson, SIX! PUNISHED! Bowls it full, flat and wide, Josh Clarkson comes dancing down the track and launches it over long off for a huge six.

Keshav Maharaj to Josh Clarkson, BEATEN! There's the quicker one, on a length, spinning and gripping from off. Josh Clarkson backs away and has a slash at it, only to miss.

Keshav Maharaj to Josh Clarkson, SIX! That's a big strike! Shortish delivery by Maharaj, on middle. Josh Clarkson hangs deep in the crease and pulls it deep into the grassbanks behind deep mid-wicket.

Keshav Maharaj to Cole McConchie, Slows up through the air, short and spinning away from off. Cole McConchie adjusts very late to it and fends it to the right of short third for a single.

Keshav Maharaj to Cole McConchie, SIX! Geez, that is a seriously good hit! Keshav drops it into the slot, on middle. Cole McConchie picks the length in a trice and shimmies down the track. Gets under the ball and pumps it down the ground for a cracking six.

Fina over coming up. Oh, it's Keshav Maharaj to bowl. South Africa had the option of Wiaan Mulder but the skipper wants to close the innings.

Ottneil Baartman to Josh Clarkson, Slower short delivery, on top of middle and leg. Josh Clarkson waits and pulls it to the left of deep square leg for two more. 150 up for New Zealand!

Ottneil Baartman to Josh Clarkson, At 119.3 kph, this is bashed on a length, outside off. Josh Clarkson slams it to the left of cover. The fielder half stops with a dive and takes the sting out of the ball as it is cut off in the outfield. Two taken.

Ottneil Baartman to Josh Clarkson, FOUR! Good execution! Scrambled-seam delivery, short but down leg. Josh Clarkson presses back, uses the pace and helps it to deep fine leg for a boundary.

Ottneil Baartman to Cole McConchie, Short of a good length, on the stumps. Cole McConchie pulls it to deep square leg for a single.

Ottneil Baartman to Cole McConchie, A negligible nip back into the batter, on a length. Cole McConchie is undone by the off-pace delivery, but manages to bunt it back to the bowler.

Ottneil Baartman to Josh Clarkson, Slower ball, length and outside off. Josh Clarkson chop-cuts it to point for a single.

Who'll bowl the penultimate over? It is Ottneil Baartman. His figures so far read 3-0-21-1.

Gerald Coetzee to Josh Clarkson, Full and on middle, Josh flicks it through wide mid on for a single. A fantastic spell comes to an end from Gerald Coetzee. He finishes off with figures reading 4-0-28-1.

New Zealand lose another wicket. Josh Clarkson replaces James Neesham.

Gerald Coetzee to James Neesham, OUT! EDGED AND CAUGHT BEHIND! Good mix-up from Gerald Coetzee in this over and he gets rewarded with a wicket. He goes pace on this time around. Lands it too full and wide outside off. James Neesham looks to carve it through the off side, but gets an outside edge. A simple catching practice for Connor Esterhuizen behind the wickets. New Zealand are 140/6.

Gerald Coetzee to Cole McConchie, Oh, that could have gone anywhere, but Cole McConchie gets away with it. Another leg cutter from Gerald. Into the pitch, nipping back in and around off. Cole McConchie shapes up to cut it wide of point, but gets it ballooned wide of mid-wicket for a single.

Gerald Coetzee to Cole McConchie, Follows up with a pace off. On a length, sliding on the leg stump line. Cole McConchie fails to pick the leg cutter and swings across the line, only to miss.

Gerald Coetzee to Cole McConchie, Bowled with jets now. Short outside off, Cole McConchie slaps it to the right of deep point and they hustle back for the second run. Good running between the wickets.

Gerald Coetzee to Cole McConchie, FOUR! Important runs! Coetzee tries the slower ball, short and on leg. Cole McConchie waits on it and whips it over short fine leg for a boundary.

Nqobani Mokoena to James Neesham, A touch fuller, on off, Neesham clears the front leg and drags it across to the right of deep mid-wicket. Rubin Hermann covers good ground, slides across to intercept, but makes a fumble on the pick up. Allows the second run. 7 runs off the over.

Nqobani Mokoena to Cole McConchie, Pace on at 138.6 kph. Short of a good length, outside off, Cole cuts it over backward point for a single.

Nqobani Mokoena to Cole McConchie, A cunning slower one, at just 107.8 kph, full and outside off, Cole McConchie attempts to square cut, but the ball goes underground and beats the inside edge.

Nqobani Mokoena to Cole McConchie, WIDE! Over-the-head bumper from Nqobani, sliding down leg as well. Cole McConchie lets it fly back. Wide given.

Nqobani Mokoena to James Neesham, Slower one by the looks of it, on a length, on middle. Neesham shuffles far across off, trying to scoop it over fine leg, but gets it off the gloves. The ball rolls to the right of the keeper and they cross for a run.

Nqobani Mokoena to Cole McConchie, Short and around off at pace, Cole McConchie heaves it over the vacant mid on region for a single.

Nqobani Mokoena to James Neesham, Half tracker, on off, James Neesham hangs back and square cuts it to the left of deep backward point for a single.

Wiaan Mulder to James Neesham, Length ball, around off, Neesham presses back and slashes this slower one to the left of point for a quick single.

Wiaan Mulder to James Neesham, Back of a length, pace off, nipping away, over off. Neesham tries to guide it away, but gets a bit of an inside edge and the ball rolls to the left of the bowler.

Wiaan Mulder to Cole McConchie, Full and in front of the sticks, Cole works it down to long on for a single.

Crucial wicket for South Africa as they pick the set, Devon Conway this time. Cole McConchie is the next batter in.

Wiaan Mulder to Devon Conway, OUT! STRAIGHT UP THE CHIMNEY AND GONE! Wicket number 2 for Mulder and this is like a hammer blow on New Zealand. Smart change of pace from Wiaan. He rolls his fingers and bowls a slower one, short on middle, angling toward leg. Devon Conway stands tall, tries to pull it over square leg, but swings his blade a fraction early. Ends up getting a fat top edge as the ball balloons up and hangs for quite a bit over short fine leg. Ottneil Baartman is stationed there in the ring, but Connor Esterhuizen calls for his catch, running to his right and takes a fine catch to dismiss the well-settled Conway. The Kiwis are 124/5 down now.

Wiaan Mulder to James Neesham, On a length, slanting back in, Neesham turns it to deep square leg for a run.

Wiaan Mulder to James Neesham, Back of a length, angled into the body. Neesham hops off and bunts it down the pitch.

Righto, last 5 overs to go. Can New Zealand get close to 170? That is almost 10s an over from here. Wiaan Mulder (1-0-11-1) is back on.

Ottneil Baartman to James Neesham, Excellent over from Baartman. Short of a length, on top of off. James pulls it to deep square leg for a single. 4 runs and a wicket off the over.

Ottneil Baartman to James Neesham, Tad fuller, around the fifth stump line. Neesham drives it straight to cover.

Ottneil Baartman to Devon Conway, Serves it full and slanting on middle. Devon Conway clips it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Ottneil Baartman to James Neesham, Good length delivery, around off. James Neesham taps it to left of cover for a single.

Out goes Santner and the crease has a new occupant. James Neesham walks in at number 6.

Ottneil Baartman to Mitchell Santner, OUT! CLEANED UP! The pacers have bowled really well for the Proates. Ottneil Baartman bowls the scrambled seam shorter delivery, angling in, around off. Santner tries to fend it away but gets squared up badly. The ball keeps low off the surface, holding a bit and goes past Santner's inside edge to hit the stumps. New Zealand are 120/4 as they lose their skipper, Santner.

Ottneil Baartman to Devon Conway, Pace-off, very full and on middle and leg. Conway pushes it past Ottneil's dive and to mid on for one.

Could this be the momentum-changing over for New Zealand? 17 runs from it, but they will need to keep going at the same rate to get over 170. Ottneil Baartman (2-0-17-1), the partnership-breaker, as he is known as, is back on. He replaces Gerald Coetzee.

George Linde to Mitchell Santner, FOUR! New Zealand are back on track with this over. Fractionally full and around off. Mitchell Santner gets on his knee and sweeps it to deep square leg for a boundary.

George Linde to Mitchell Santner, SIX! That's right off the middle. Not that short, this is on off and spins in. Mitchell Santner stands with an open stance, judges the length and muscles it over mid-wicket for a six.

George Linde to Mitchell Santner, Length delivery on middle, holds a bit into the surface. Mitchell Santner goes back and away to tap it back towards Linde.

George Linde to Mitchell Santner, Wide! Quicker and down leg, turning more away. MS tries to flick it away but misses.

George Linde to Devon Conway, Slower in the air, flat and turning onto the pads. Conway is early as he paddles it across. He mistimes it to square leg for a run.

George Linde to Mitchell Santner, Tossed up, fuller and around off, turning in. Mitchell Santner mistimes his slog sweep to deep square leg for a single.

George Linde to Mitchell Santner, FOUR! Much needed for Santner. Linde errs and bowls it too short and too wide. Mitchell Santner clears his front leg and slaps it past point. The fielder in the deep, Rubin Hermann, dives across but overruns and lets it go for a boundary.

A very good phase for the Proteas, this. Just 10 runs from the last two overs for New Zealand. And with that, spin is back on. George Linde (2-0-16-1) replaces Nqobani Mokoena.

Gerald Coetzee to Devon Conway, Well bowled! An off-cutter, into the surface and outside off. Conway waits and waits to cut it away, but bottom edges it onto the deck. It rolls back towards the keeper.

Gerald Coetzee to Mitchell Santner, Touch too full and around off. Mitchell Santner gets low and drives it away past cover for a single.

Gerald Coetzee to Mitchell Santner, Wide! Too short, down leg. Mitchell Santner leaves it alone.

Gerald Coetzee to Devon Conway, Short in length, on the hips. Conway picks the line and whips it behind square leg for a single. 100 is up for New Zealand.

Gerald Coetzee to Mitchell Santner, Bowls it short and outside off, too wide. Mitchell Santner frees his arms and flashes his blade. He gets a thick outside edge to the left of third man. Ottneil Baartman slides across and saves one. Three runs added.

Gerald Coetzee to Mitchell Santner, Straighter length, in line of the stumps. Mitchell Santner punches it to Tony de Zorzi at cover. Mitchell Santner is struggling to time a bit.

Gerald Coetzee to Mitchell Santner, Hits the deck hard and bowls it at 122 clicks, outside off. Mitchell Santner plays it straight to cover.

Gerald Coetzee (2-0-14-0) is brought back on, replacing Wiaan Mulder.

Nqobani Mokoena to Mitchell Santner, Touch fuller and on middle and leg. Mitchell Santner turns it to mid-wicket and keeps the strike with a single.

Nqobani Mokoena to Mitchell Santner, Bowls into the surface from wide of the crease on middle. Santner taps it onto the deck. It rolls back onto the non-striker's stumps and Nqobani Mokoena manages to get his hand on it but Conway was inside his crease.

Nqobani Mokoena to Mitchell Santner, Back of a length on top of off. Mitchell Santner punches it to cover.

Nqobani Mokoena to Devon Conway, Too short, around off. Conway gets on top of the bounce and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for one.

Nqobani Mokoena to Devon Conway, Too straight on the pads. Conway flicks on the up and to deep square leg. George Linde puts a full-length dive to his left and saves two runs for his team. Good throw as well from Linde as Conway was struggling a bit.

Nqobani Mokoena to Devon Conway, Nqobani Mokoena bowls at 112.2 kph, fuller and across the batter, on off. Conway looks to push it away but misses.

Nqobani Mokoena (2-0-11-0) returns into the attack. He replaces George Linde.

Wiaan Mulder to Mitchell Santner, Serves it full and just around off. Mitchell Santner punches it to cover. Good comeback from Wiaan Mulder. A wicket and 11 runs off the over.

The 37-run partnership is broken for the third wicket. New Zealand are pushed for another reconstruction job as skipper Mitchell Santner promotes himself to number 5.

Wiaan Mulder to Nick Kelly, OUT! BOWLED 'EM! Excellent change of pace from Wiaan Mulder gets the breakthrough. Mulder rolls his fingers on the length delivery, this is on middle and comes with an angle. Nick Kelly stays back to carve it away towards third man but misses. It beats the edge and crashes the middle pole. Nick Kelly goes for a brisk 21(12). New Zealand are 92/3.

Wiaan Mulder to Nick Kelly, FOUR! Oh, should have been stopped. Touch fuller, around off. Nick Kelly punches it down to mid off. Keshav Maharaj runs to his left and slides, tries to stop with both hands, but fails to do so. It rolls past him for a boundary.

Wiaan Mulder to Devon Conway, Short in length, around off. Conway pulls it to long on for a single.

Wiaan Mulder to Devon Conway, SIX! JUST OVER! Wiaan Mulder pitches it near the 8-meter length, outside off, a nothing delivery. Conway slams it across, over long on and just over the fielder. That brings up the FIFTY FOR CONWAY. Off 39 balls. A decent innings so far but needs to shift gears now.

Wiaan Mulder to Devon Conway, Pace-off, fuller delivery, outside off. Conway does not pick the pace as he shuffles to scoop it away but misses.

DRINKS! A quick innings from Nick Kelly has helped New Zealand end the first half of the innings on a good note. On the other hand, Conway is inching towards his fifty, but it hasn't been a free-flowing knock so far from him. There is some turn and bounce in the surface, but South Africa have been a tad unlucky so far. However, they need to keep hitting the lengths and look for wickets. Anything near 180-190 could be considered a good score on this pitch. Pace is back on in the form of Wiaan Mulder. He replaces Keshav Maharaj.

George Linde to Nick Kelly, FOUR! Cracked away! A predictable short ball that turns in from off. Nick gets on the back foot and pulls it between deep mid-wicket and deep square leg for a boundary. 13 runs from the over. At halfway, New Zealand are 81/2.

George Linde to Devon Conway, Two wides! Full and well outside off. Conway switches his grip for the reverse but adjusts late, misses it, and the keeper fumbles to his left. The ball deflects to short third and they sneak a bye.

George Linde to Devon Conway, Floated up around off, Conway goes for the slog sweep but it turns in, beats the inside edge, and just sneaks over the leg and middle stumps.

George Linde to Devon Conway, WIDE! Miles outside off, breaching the tramline. Wide called as Conway ignores it.

George Linde to Nick Kelly, Shorter and outside off, Nick Kelly punches it down to deep backward point for a single off the back foot.

George Linde to Nick Kelly, FOUR! Nicely played and that takes Kelly into double figures. Far outside off, on a fuller length. Kelly shuffles across, gets down on his knee and drags it across to the leg side, finding the fence at deep mid-wicket.

George Linde to Nick Kelly, ALMOST PLAYED ON! Kelly hangs back to punch this length ball, but gets an inside edge as the ball spins in sharply with bounce. The ball then thuds into his left boot, and trickles onto the pitch, rolling just beside the off stump.

George Linde to Devon Conway, Short and around off, this is dragged down to the left of long on for a single.

Keshav Maharaj to Nick Kelly, Flat arm ball, aimed at the body of the batter. Kelly is cramped up for room and bunts it to the left of the bowler.

Keshav Maharaj to Nick Kelly, FOUR! Beautiful shot! Maharaj drops it short, on middle, Kelly is quick to read the length and pulls it off the back foot, splitting deep mid-wicket and deep square leg fielders for a cracking boundary.

Keshav Maharaj to Devon Conway, Quicker arm ball, short outside off, Conway cuts it off the back foot to deep backward point for a run.

Keshav Maharaj to Nick Kelly, Pitched on the stump line, Kelly pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Keshav Maharaj to Nick Kelly, Slightly short, on leg, Nick hangs back and pulls it behind square on the leg side. Nqobani Mokoena from deep square leg runs to his left, slides to cut it off, but fumbles as he parries the ball to his left, allowing the batters to pinch in the second run.

Keshav Maharaj to Devon Conway, Full and on middle, Conway uses his bottom hand and heaves it down to long on for a single.

George Linde to Devon Conway, Flatter, quicker, and fuller, around off. Coway reverse sweeps it to short third and dashes off for a run. Just 4 runs from Linde's first. 16/1 in the last 2 for the Kiwis.

George Linde to Nick Kelly, Spins down leg from middle, on a length. Nick Kelly misses to nudge it around the corner. The ball grazes his front pad and rolls behind to short fine leg. The batters are quick to cross for a leg bye.

George Linde to Devon Conway, Slides one outside off, on a short length. Conway backs away and slashes it to deep point for an easy run.

George Linde to Nick Kelly, Drops it fractionally full and on middle and leg. Kelly tucks it with soft hands to the right of short fine leg for a single.

Nick Kelly walks in, replacing Tim Robinson. The Proteas spinners have already made an impact in the game.

George Linde to Tim Robinson, OUT! CHOPPED ON! Linde with a big wicket. Again, some turn and bounce on this one. It is pitched on a tad shorter length, just outside the off pole. It lands and grips away as Robinson tries to cut it square off the back foot. But he ends up inside edging it back onto the stumps. A short stay for Tim Robinson and he looks perplexed out there. New Zealand are 55/2.

George Linde to Tim Robinson, BEATEN! Turn and bounce! On a length, around off, spinning prodigiously away. Robinson is pinned on the crease, tries to cut it away, but misses.

Spin from both ends. Here is George Linde.

Keshav Maharaj to Devon Conway, SIX! Doesn't miss out on the loosener! Spins in sharply, full and on middle. Conway gets under it nicely and slog sweeps it perfectly over deep mid-wicket for half a dozen runs.

Keshav Maharaj to Devon Conway, Full and fired on the leg stump. Conway charges down the track to whip it over the leg side, but misses and is hit on the front pad as the ball turns in.

Keshav Maharaj to Tim Robinson, In-angler, full and around leg. Robinson gets down and sweeps it off the inside half of the bat to deep fine leg for one.

Tim Robinson walks in at number 3.

Keshav Maharaj to Tom Latham, OUT! CAUGHT! The skipper strikes in his first over and breaks the opening partnership. Keshav pitches it full and keeps the line around off. It lands, spins in with a bit of bounce. Tom Latham goes for a reverse sweep, but gets a top edge and the ball spoons straight into the safe hands of Ottneil Baartman stationed at short third. He takes the catch over his head with a reverse cup to send Latham packing. He couldn't have picked up fielder any better there. New Zealand are 48/1.

Keshav Maharaj to Devon Conway, A touch short, on middle, Conway hangs back and tucks it wide of mid-wicket for a single.

Keshav Maharaj to Devon Conway, FOUR! Doesn't get all of that, but four is a four! Full from Maharaj, on off. Devon Conway plants his front foot across and slogs it to the leg side. Bisects deep mid-wicket and long on fielders to perfection for a boundary.

South Africa to continue with pace? Nope, here is the skipper, Keshav Maharaj, into the attack.

Ottneil Baartman to Devon Conway, Touch fuller, nipping away, just outside off, Conway slices it over backward point for a single. New Zealand end their Powerplay with 43/0 on the board.

Ottneil Baartman to Devon Conway, Good comeback! In the channel of off, on a fuller length. Conway's feet go nowhere, as he tries to work it off side, but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Ottneil Baartman to Devon Conway, FOUR! WHAM! Short and on top of off. Conway gets the ball at a comfortable height, climbs on it and cracks the pull shot over mid-wicket for a boundary.

Ottneil Baartman to Devon Conway, In the air... just short! Full and angling into the batter, on middle. Conway flicks it over square leg. The fielder from deep fine leg, Jason Smith, runs to his right and collects it on the bounce. Two taken. Smith could have given himself the chance to go for the catch, but he might have misjudged the trajectory there.

Ottneil Baartman to Devon Conway, On a good length, angling outside off, Devon Conway advances to loft it over mid off, but the ball nibbles away and zips past the outside edge.

Ottneil Baartman to Devon Conway, Nagging length, around off, Conway loses his balance while blocking it to the off side.

Not an explosive start by any means from the Kiwi openers. The pitch has something in it for the seamers with an uneven bounce. Ottneil Baartman to bowl the last over of the Powerplay.

Nqobani Mokoena to Tom Latham, Pace on delivery, this is at 138.6 clicks. Nqobani Mokoena goes full and outside off. Latham swings his blade and misses. Good over by Nqobani Mokoena. Just 5 runs off the over.

Nqobani Mokoena to Devon Conway, At 116 kph! Back of a length delivery on middle, holds a bit into the surface. Conway works it on the leg side and runs across.

Nqobani Mokoena to Devon Conway, A bouncer from Nqobani, around off, it climbs off the deck. Conway gets on top and hoicks it wide of square leg for a couple more.

Nqobani Mokoena to Devon Conway, Bowls the fuller-length delivery on middle and leg. Conway taps it back on the strip.

Nqobani Mokoena to Devon Conway, Just wide! Pushes it full and around off. Conway loses his shape as he tries to whip it away, it goes off the inner half of the blade, to the left of mid-wicket for two runs.

Nqobani Mokoena to Devon Conway, Nqobani Mokoena flirts with the tramline by bowling across the batter. Conway throws the kitchen sink at it but fails to connect.

Change of ends for Nqobani Mokoena. His figures read 1-0-6-0 so far and he replaces Gerald Coetzee.

Ottneil Baartman to Tom Latham, FOUR! 10 runs off the over. Fractionally full, close to the off pole. Latham picks the length quickly and strokes it wide of point for a boundary.

Ottneil Baartman to Tom Latham, Beaten again! Perfect length and line from Ottneil Baartman. In the uncertain region again, touch shorter and around off. Latham tries to punch it away, against the angle but misses.

Ottneil Baartman to Tom Latham, Lovely delivery! On a nagging length, around off, it lands and jags away sharply. Latham goes nowhere as he tries to push it away but gets beaten.

Ottneil Baartman to Tom Latham, This is full and around off. Latham gets underneath of the delivery and knocks it to cover.

Ottneil Baartman to Tom Latham, SIX! ALL THE WAY. A good length delivery, around off. Latham steps across, uses the pace and paddles it over fine leg for a six. It lands just over the ropes. First six of the match.

Is that a four or a six? The third umpire is brought into action to have a check. The replay confirms that it has just sailed over the ropes. Six it is.

Ottneil Baartman to Tom Latham, Serves it full and around off. Latham hits it to cover.

Ottneil Baartman is introduced into the attack, replacing Nqobani Mokoena.

Gerald Coetzee to Devon Conway, BEATEN! Gerald Coetzee keeps it short and cramps the batter for room as he bowls it on middle. Conway gives himself room to ride it away but misses.

Gerald Coetzee to Devon Conway, At 144 clicks. A bumper, across the batter and well outside off. Conway flashes his blade and misses.

Change of bat for Devon Conway. The reserve player comes out with a couple of blades. Conway chooses one, and we are ready to resume.

Gerald Coetzee to Devon Conway, Bangs it short and on middle and off. Conway stands tall and pulls it to deep mid-wicket. The fielder fumbles, running to his right and picks up a brace.

Gerald Coetzee to Devon Conway, FOUR! Wonderful shot! Gerald Coetzee bowls a half-volley, outside off. Conway opens up the face of the bat in the last moment and carves it away past point for a boundary.

Gerald Coetzee to Devon Conway, Misses out again. Gerald Coetzee bowls in a similar region, on a length and outside off. Conway steps across to paddle it away, but fails to connect.

Gerald Coetzee to Devon Conway, Into the surface, hard length and it picks off the strip, outside off. Conway slashes his blade and misses.

Nqobani Mokoena to Devon Conway, Leg bye! Nqobani Mokoena bowls it slightly short and outside off, true bounce off the surface and Conway fails to scoop it away on the leg side. It rolls off the pads to point for a leg bye.

Nqobani Mokoena to Devon Conway, Tad fuller and on middle and off. Devon Conway knocks it to cover.

Nqobani Mokoena to Devon Conway, Back of a length and on middle. Conway pulls it with soft hands, to the right of deep square leg. The fielder, Jason Smith, slides across and saves a couple of runs. Two runs added.

Nqobani Mokoena to Devon Conway, Serves it full from wide of the crease and outside off. Conway drives with the angle but off the outer half of the bat and to cover.

Nqobani Mokoena to Devon Conway, Pulls the length back and angles across the batter, on off. Conway inside edges his punch shot, onto the deck.

Nqobani Mokoena to Devon Conway, FOUR! Boundary to start the second over as well. Nqobani Mokoena overpitches it up, around off. Conway drills it sweetly past extra-cover and it speeds into the fence.

Nqobani Mokoena to operate from the opposite end. He had a pretty impressive T20I debut in Bay Oval, picking up a three-for.

Gerald Coetzee to Devon Conway, Hard length delivery, shaping in from outside off. Conway tries to punch it away but inside edges it to fine leg for one.

Gerald Coetzee to Devon Conway, Gerald Coetzee mixes his length and goes short this time, on leg. Conway ducks under it.

Gerald Coetzee to Tom Latham, Touch too full and around off, nipping away late. Latham looks to drive it away but edges it to third man for a single. Tom Latham is underway now.

Gerald Coetzee to Tom Latham, Wide! Too straight, down leg. Latham lets it be.

Gerald Coetzee to Tom Latham, Changes the angle to the left-hander! Bowls from over the wicket and angles it across, on a length and outside off. Latham stays rooted in the crease to push it away but misses.

Gerald Coetzee to Devon Conway, A good length delivery, around off and swinging in. Conway uses the angle and tucks it to mid-wicket for a run.

Gerald Coetzee to Devon Conway, FOUR! New Zealand are off the mark in style. Gerald Coetzee starts with a fuller delivery, swinging onto the pads. Devon Conway clips it through mid-wicket for a boundary.

We are all set for the second T20I to get underway in Hamilton. The two umpires walk out and then the Proteas, led by Keshav Maharaj, take their respective fielding positions. Devon Conway and Tom Latham are the two openers for New Zealand. Gerald Coetzee will open the attack for South Africa. Conway to take the strike. Here we go!

Who's next up? Connor Esterhuizen, it is. On how he handled the pressure on debut, Esterhuizen says it was challenging, but that he was happy with the result. He adds that in a way, it allowed him to play a bit more freely, as he didn't have to worry about the clock or the overrate, so he could settle in, absorb the pressure, and then play from there. On how his SA20 experience helped him step up to international cricket, Esterhuizen says it definitely helped with dealing with some pressure, but that there is no pressure like international cricket. He says SA20 helped put him in good standing, but that this was a different kind of challenge. On the team's discussion before the second match, Esterhuizen says the message is to match the energy from the last match and execute their skills with clarity. He adds that it is also about going out there, having fun with teammates, and playing their best cricket. On fulfilling his dream of playing for South Africa, Esterhuizen says it was a bit of a pinch-me moment. He says it is everything you dream of as a kid growing up playing cricket in South Africa, and that to live that dream now is incredible.

Time for a quick chat - Kyle Jamieson, on the pitch having more grass, says it looks like it has a little bit more live grass in it, so is hopeful that there will be a bit more life in the wicket that night. He adds that it does look like a good sort of New Zealand wicket. On what fast bowlers want from the surface, Jamieson says you are always hoping for a little bit of assistance because you don't get that too often around the world. He says a little bit of bounce, swing and seam early on would be nice. He adds that they were reasonably happy with how they bowled, but that they probably could have been a bit more accurate and created more pressure. On the difficulty of defending 90 odd runs, Jamieson says it was tough trying to defend 90 in 20 overs because they couldn't really force the run rate. He says you try to flush it and move on, take the learnings, and focus on the next game.

The captain of New Zealand - Mitchell Santner says they would have bowled first. Adds that the pitch looks good and feels like there is a little bit of green grass, which plays pretty well here. Reckons they reflected on the last game and looked at things which could have been done better, but knows they need to improve. Shares that it's the same bowling attack but different conditions, so there are no secrets. Says that they are ready for the new challenge. On team changes, Santner informs that Lockie Ferguson is back, which is nice, and that he comes in for Zakary Foulkes. He also adds that Bevon Jacobs hurt his knee the other night, taking that catch, so Josh Clarkson comes in for him.

The captain of South Africa - Keshav Maharaj says they are a young bowling side and stresses that they want to execute their plans to replicate what they did a couple of days back. Expects the dew to come in later in the day and also feels that the wicket will get better. Citing the local knowledge, he believes that it will play well under the lights. Informs that they have made one change in their XI with Wiaan Mulder coming in for Jordan Hermann.

New Zealand (Playing XI) - Devon Conway, Tom Latham (WK), Tim Robinson, Nick Kelly, Mitchell Santner (C), James Neesham, Cole McConchie, Josh Clarkson (In for Bevon Jacobs), Kyle Jamieson, Ben Sears, Lockie Ferguson (In for Zakary Foulkes).

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

TOSS - Up goes the coin, and it lands in favour of Keshav Maharaj. South Africa elect to BOWL first!

South Africa beat New Zealand - Wait... what? Mate, the match hasn't even started, pings my friend. But, here we are talking about the Women's match that just got concluded a few minutes back, in Hamilton. South Africa, while batting first, posted 177 on the board, through important contributions from Tazmin Brits (53) and Laura Wolvaardt (41). In reply, New Zealand Women just couldn't get the momentum as they kept losing wickets regularly. Captain Amelia Kerr (32) was the highest scorer, and several batters got the starts, but none could carry on. Ayabonga Khaka's 4-for and Nonkululeko Mlaba's three-wicket haul ensured the Kiwis couldn't cross the line with the Proteas beating the hosts by 18 runs. With this, the 5-match T20I series stands level at 1-1 after two games.

High-flying Proteas! South Africa, meanwhile, arrives in Hamilton holding all the momentum. Their clinical bowling display at the Bay Oval, led by the fierce pace of Gerald Coetzee and the discipline of Nqobani Mokoena, has set a high bar for the remainder of the tour. Despite their dominant 1-0 lead, the visitors aren't without their own worries, as they lose Jordon Hermann for the remainder of the series due to a hamstring. With the series on the line today, expect a gritty battle on a surface that traditionally offers a bit more for the batters than what we saw in the opener. Toss and team sheets next.

Changes on the side! However, the road to redemption is cluttered with obstacles. The New Zealand camp is currently a revolving door of personnel. While they welcome back the raw pace of Lockie Ferguson, they must navigate the loss of spin veteran Ish Sodhi, who is sidelined with a broken thumb. With Katene Clarke stepping in for the injured Bevon Jacobs, the Kiwis are fielding a reshuffled lineup that will need to find its rhythm instantly against a confident Proteas attack.

Welcome to Seddon Park - As the action shifts from the Bay Oval for this second T20I. The hosts, New Zealand, find themselves in a must-win situation after a sobering performance in the series opener. After being bundled out for just 91 runs, the Blackcaps are looking to prove that their batting collapse was merely a flash in the pan rather than a trend for the series.

...MATCH DAY...

Match intro - The caravan moves to Hamilton for the second of five T20Is between the World Cup semifinalists, New Zealand and South Africa. Proteas will take the field at Seddon Park, looking to extend the lead, while the Kiwis aim to draw level. The Black Caps were bundled out for just 91 in Mount Maunganui by a South African side featuring four debutants, and the men from the Rainbow Nation certainly made an early statement in the series. A chance to reset - After the opening defeat, Mitchell Santner made an honest admission after the game, saying his side could have adapted better with the bat. With just a day between the two matches before the teams meet in Hamilton, the Kiwis will hope to quickly shrug off the defeat and bounce back. There could also be a forced change for the hosts, with Bevon Jacobs injuring his knee after it got stuck in the turf while attempting a catch. With this being a transitional T20I side following the T20 World Cup, featuring a mix of experienced and inexperienced players, New Zealand will welcome the return of Lockie Ferguson for the second and third games. His presence will add serious bite to the pace attack. In a blow to their spin department, leggie Ish Sodhi will take no further part in the series after fracturing his thumb while training ahead of the series opener. Confidence high after a statement win - South Africa will be buoyed by the outcome in Mount Maunganui. Fielding four debutants and still producing a fairly comprehensive performance underlined the depth in their setup and suggested that the newcomers are ready for the international stage. Their batting, however, appeared a bit tentative. That could partly be down to the modest target of 92, which meant they did not need to take many risks. It will be interesting to see the approach they adopt if they are chasing a bigger total or if they are asked to bat first. One of the players to watch coming into the series was Jordan Hermann, who arrived on the back of impressive performances in the SA20. However, his debut was cut short by a hamstring strain, and it remains to be seen whether he will take any further part in the series. The pace attack did most of the damage in Mount Maunganui, with Nqobani Mokoena enjoying a memorable debut, while Gerald Coetzee and Ottneil Baartman, both of whom missed out on World Cup selection, showed what they are capable of with the ball. Team form (Last 5 completed T20Is, recent first) - NZ - LLWLW | SA - WLWWW. What to expect? Since the start of 2025, in T20s at this venue, spinners have picked up 18 wickets at an economy rate of 7.9, while pacers have accounted for 34 wickets but at a higher economy of 9.15. New Zealand have won the last three T20Is at this venue, and out of the 13 previous T20Is played at Seddon Park, the Kiwis have won 10, highlighting their strong record here. Will the Hamilton stronghold help the home side produce a strong response? We shall find out.