New Zealand vs South Africa 1st T20I 2026 Highlights

Watch the highlights of New Zealand vs South Africa 1st T20I - 2026 South Africa tour of Sri Lanka 5-match T20I series - The first Twenty20 International cricket match between New Zealand and South Africa played at the Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui on March 15, 2026.

Nqobani Mokoena impressed on his debut© Getty Images

Gerald Coetzee, Ottneil Baartman, Keshav Maharaj's each two wickets, Debutants Nqobani Mokoena's three-for and Connor Esterhuizen's unbeaten 45 helped to South Africa convincing seven-wicket victory over New Zealand, despite Mitchell Santner's economical bowling and South Africa take a 1-0 lead in a low-scoring first T20I.

Match Stats :

South Africa chased 92 was their fifth lowest successful run-chase in T20 international and It is their second lowest chase against New Zealand in T20Is after they had chased 87 at Durban in 2012. New Zealand's 91 was their ninth lowest score in a completed innings in T20 international and It is their second lowest-score against South Africa in T20Is after their 86 at Durban in 2012. New Zealand's 91 was the lowest total by any team at Mount Maunganui in a completed innings in T20Is, previous lowest was 105 by Pakistan against New Zealand in the last year.

New Zealand bowled out for 91 in 14.3 overs with top scorer by James Neesham cracked a 26 off 21-balls including 2-fours & a six.

Mitchell Santner hit 15 off 19-balls including 2-fours and Cole McConchie scored 15 off 11-balls contained a boundary.

South Africa best bowler by Debutant Nqobani Mokoena - who picked up 3-wickets on his debut T20I match, Gerald Coetzee, Ottneil Baartman and Keshav Maharaj each took 2-wickets.

South Africa chase down the target of 92, finishing at 93 for 3 in 16.4 overs with top scorer by Debutant Connor Esterhuizen - who hit a unbeaten 45 off 48-balls on his debut T20I match - including 2-sixes & 2-fours.

Debutant Dian Forrester - who scored a unbeaten 16 off 25-balls on his debut T20I match and Jason Smith hit 10 off 14-balls contained a boundary.

New Zealand best bowler by Mitchell Santner took 1-wicket for 8-runs in 4-overs with economy rate of 2, Zak Foulkes and Kyle Jamieson both took one-wickets.

Nqobani Mokoena named Player of the match for his impressive debut bowling performance to picked up 3-wickets for 26-runs in 3.3-overs.

                   

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