NZ vs SA, 5th T20I highlights: South Africa defeat New Zealand by 33 runs, win series 3-2
THE TIMES OF INDIA | Mar 25, 2026, 15:31:58 IST
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NZ vs SA, 5th T20I highlights: South Africa defeat New Zealand by 33 runs, win series 3-2

NZ vs SA, 5th T20I Live Score: New Zealand have won the toss and have opted to field.

The five-match T20 series between New Zealand and South Africa is tied at 2-2. Both teams have won two games each, making today’s final match the decider.

James Neesham: We will bowl first. Not too concerned. It looks like a pretty even contest. There’s a bit of grass on the pitch, which should help the ball move around early, so that’s a positive. It’s always great to be back at Hagley Oval. There’s definitely more experience in the group playing here now. We’ve spent a fair bit of time at this venue, and it’s always a fantastic place for cricket. The crowd turns up in numbers and creates a brilliant atmosphere. With the series on the line tonight, it’s an important game, and hopefully we can put on a good show for them.


Keshav Maharaj: We were actually looking to bat first, taking a bit of a cue from the women’s game played earlier. It looked like the better option, especially if the pitch holds up the way it did, so yeah, batting first was probably the plan. Yeah, it’s definitely useful. You do have to factor in a bit of weather overnight, but generally the conditions don’t change too much. It gives you a good reference point, especially from a bowling perspective around the right lines and lengths to hit. And from a batting point of view, it helps you identify scoring areas, whether that’s square of the wicket, through the off-side or straight down the ground.


New Zealand (Playing 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

South Africa (Playing 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
12:14 (IST) Mar 25
0
Overs6.2
Score44 - 1

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

12:13 (IST) Mar 25
1
Overs6.1
Score44 - 1

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

12:13 (IST) Mar 25

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.

12:12 (IST) Mar 25
Score after 6 overs 43 - 1
Runs Scored: 0
012004
  • Rubin Hermann 21 (12)
  • Wiaan Mulder 8 (11)
Zakary Foulkes3-0-15-1
4
Overs5.6
Score43 - 1

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

12:11 (IST) Mar 25
0
Overs5.5
Score39 - 1

Zakary Foulkes to Rubin Hermann, Touch fuller, outside off. Hermann punches it to cover.

12:11 (IST) Mar 25
0
Overs5.4
Score39 - 1

Zakary Foulkes to Rubin Hermann, 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. 

12:10 (IST) Mar 25
2
Overs5.3
Score39 - 1

Zakary Foulkes to Rubin Hermann, 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.

12:09 (IST) Mar 25
1
Overs5.2
Score37 - 1

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

12:09 (IST) Mar 25
0
Overs5.1
Score36 - 1

Zakary Foulkes to Wiaan Mulder, 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.

12:09 (IST) Mar 25

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

12:08 (IST) Mar 25
Score after 5 overs 36 - 1
Runs Scored: 0
006404
  • Rubin Hermann 15 (8)
  • Wiaan Mulder 7 (9)
Ben Sears1-0-14-0
4
Overs4.6
Score36 - 1

Ben Sears to Rubin Hermann, 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.

12:07 (IST) Mar 25
0
Overs4.5
Score32 - 1

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

12:06 (IST) Mar 25
4
Overs4.4
Score32 - 1

Ben Sears to Rubin Hermann, 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.

12:06 (IST) Mar 25
6
Overs4.3
Score28 - 1

Ben Sears to Rubin Hermann, 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.

12:05 (IST) Mar 25
0
Overs4.2
Score22 - 1

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

12:05 (IST) Mar 25
0
Overs4.1
Score22 - 1

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

12:03 (IST) Mar 25
Score after 4 overs 22 - 1
Runs Scored: 0
041(1NB)00(W)01
  • Rubin Hermann 1 (2)
  • Wiaan Mulder 7 (9)
Zakary Foulkes2-0-8-1
1
Overs3.6
Score22 - 1

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

12:03 (IST) Mar 25
0
Overs3.5
Score21 - 1

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

12:02 (IST) Mar 25

Tony de Zorzi goes. Rubin Hermann comes in next.

12:01 (IST) Mar 25
W
Overs3.4
Score21 - 1

Zakary Foulkes to Tony de Zorzi, 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.

12:00 (IST) Mar 25
0
Overs3.3
Score21 - 0

Zakary Foulkes to Tony de Zorzi, 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.

11:59 (IST) Mar 25
1nb
Overs3.3
Score21 - 0

Zakary Foulkes to Tony de Zorzi, 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...

11:59 (IST) Mar 25
4
Overs3.2
Score20 - 0

Zakary Foulkes to Tony de Zorzi, 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.

11:58 (IST) Mar 25
0
Overs3.1
Score16 - 0

Zakary Foulkes to Tony de Zorzi, 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. 

11:57 (IST) Mar 25
Score after 3 overs 16 - 0
Runs Scored: 0
402000
  • Wiaan Mulder 7 (9)
  • Tony de Zorzi 8 (9)
Kyle Jamieson2-0-14-0
0
Overs2.6
Score16 - 0

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

11:57 (IST) Mar 25
0
Overs2.5
Score16 - 0

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

11:56 (IST) Mar 25
0
Overs2.4
Score16 - 0

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

11:55 (IST) Mar 25
2
Overs2.3
Score16 - 0

Kyle Jamieson to Wiaan Mulder, 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.

11:55 (IST) Mar 25
0
Overs2.2
Score14 - 0

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

11:54 (IST) Mar 25
4
Overs2.1
Score14 - 0

Kyle Jamieson to Wiaan Mulder, 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.

11:53 (IST) Mar 25
Score after 2 overs 10 - 0
Runs Scored: 0
001(1WD)1000
  • Tony de Zorzi 8 (9)
  • Wiaan Mulder 1 (3)
Zakary Foulkes1-0-2-0
0
Overs1.6
Score10 - 0

Zakary Foulkes to Tony de Zorzi, 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.

11:53 (IST) Mar 25
0
Overs1.5
Score10 - 0

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

11:52 (IST) Mar 25
0
Overs1.4
Score10 - 0

Zakary Foulkes to Tony de Zorzi, 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.

11:51 (IST) Mar 25
1
Overs1.3
Score10 - 0

Zakary Foulkes to Wiaan Mulder, 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.

11:51 (IST) Mar 25
1wd
Overs1.3
Score9 - 0

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

11:50 (IST) Mar 25
0
Overs1.2
Score8 - 0

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

11:50 (IST) Mar 25
0
Overs1.1
Score8 - 0

Zakary Foulkes to Wiaan Mulder, 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.

11:49 (IST) Mar 25

Zakary Foulkes to share the attack.

11:48 (IST) Mar 25
Score after 1 over 8 - 0
Runs Scored: 0
040400
  • Tony de Zorzi 8 (6)
  • Wiaan Mulder 0 (0)
Kyle Jamieson1-0-8-0
0
Overs0.6
Score8 - 0

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

11:48 (IST) Mar 25
0
Overs0.5
Score8 - 0

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

11:47 (IST) Mar 25
4
Overs0.4
Score8 - 0

Kyle Jamieson to Tony de Zorzi, 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.

11:46 (IST) Mar 25
0
Overs0.3
Score4 - 0

Kyle Jamieson to Tony de Zorzi, 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.

11:46 (IST) Mar 25
4
Overs0.2
Score4 - 0

Kyle Jamieson to Tony de Zorzi, 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.

11:45 (IST) Mar 25
0
Overs0.1
Score0 - 0

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

11:44 (IST) Mar 25

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...

11:42 (IST) Mar 25

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.

11:40 (IST) Mar 25

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.

11:19 (IST) Mar 25

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.

11:19 (IST) Mar 25

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.