New Zealand vs South Africa 2nd T20I Highlights: New Zealand decimate South Africa, win by 68 runs to level series
NZ vs SA 2nd T20I Highlights: New Zealand won by 68 runs in Hamilton on Tuesday to level the five-match series
NZ vs SA 2nd T20I LIVE Highlights: What a turnaround from New Zealand after the drubbing in the series opener. This time, they flipped the script emphatically, dismantling South Africa with a clinical bowling display....Read More
None of the South African batters managed to settle as wickets fell at regular intervals, with the hosts relentlessly exploiting the conditions. The bowlers hit the deck hard and extracted enough assistance from the surface to keep the pressure intact throughout the innings.
Mitchell Santner once again stood out with a crucial two-wicket spell, while Ben Sears and Lockie Ferguson led the pace attack with three wickets each to wrap up a dominant performance.
The series is now level at 1-1, with the third match set to be played on Friday at Eden Park.
Put to bat first on a sluggish Seddon Park track in Hamilton, New Zealand made a brilliant start as Tom Latham and Devon Conway found an early rhythm. The duo put on 48 runs for the first wicket before Keshav Maharaj sent Tom Latham back to the hut. The wicket of Tim Robinson soon followed as George Linde got off on the wickets column. It was Nick Kelly who came in after that and started developing a partnership with Conway.
Kelly and Conway stitched together a partnership of 37 runs, steadying the progress for the home team. They were starting to look dangerous when Mulder came into the attack and picked up the wicket of Nick Kelly. Mitchell Santner took the crease after, and New Zealand had one more important partnership going between him and Conway. But again just when New Zealand were looking to switch gears, Baartman picked up the wicket of Santner and put a brake on the progress.
The pacers were right on track, but the hosts decimated the two spinners as Maharaj and Linde bled 78 runs in just 36 balls, 24 of which came in the final over when Josh Clarkson's late impetus propelled New Zealand's total to 175.
New Zealand return to Seddon Park tonight with the series already asking them a hard question. This is only the second game of the five-match series, but the pressure is real because South Africa have landed their first punch and landed it cleanly. The visitors lead 1-0 after dismantling New Zealand in Mount Maunganui, where the hosts were bowled out for 91, leaving the Proteas to complete a seven-wicket win with 20 balls to spare.
The result of the opener was striking for what it revealed about the two sides. New Zealand's post-World Cup squad, trimmed by rest, rotation and availability, suddenly looked thin under pressure, while South Africa's younger, less established touring party looked sharper, calmer and more adaptable than expected. Keshav Maharaj's side arrived for this series with five uncapped players in the squad and without many of the names that shape South Africa's strongest T20I XI, yet they have already shown this tour is not just about exposure or experimentation. It is about competing, and after one match, they have every reason to believe the series is there for the taking.
For New Zealand, the challenge now is more than tactical. They are back home less than two weeks after the disappointment of losing the T20 World Cup final, and this series was always going to test the depth beyond the first-choice core. Even so, there is enough experience in this group to expect a response, especially with Lockie Ferguson available for games two and three.
The recovery job has become tougher, with Ish Sodi ruled out of the remainder of the series with a broken thumb and Bevon Jacobs unavailable for the second T20I because of a left knee injury, prompting Katene Clarke's call-up as cover. So, in tonight's game, South Africa have a chance to tighten their grip on the series and keep proving that their next line has substance. While New Zealand will be looking to pass the test of depth, temperament and how quickly a side can move from one bad night with flying colours.
Squads
South Africa: Tony de Zorzi, Jason Smith, Jordan Hermann, George Linde, Wiaan Mulder, Connor Esterhuizen(wicketkeeper), Prenelan Subrayen, Dian Forrester, Gerald Coetzee, Ottneil Baartman, Keshav Maharaj (captain), Lutho Sipamla, Rubin Hermann, Andile Simelane, Nqobani Mokoena.
New Zealand: Mitchell Santner (c), Katene Clarke, Josh Clarkson, Dane Cleaver (wk), Devon Conway (wk), Lockie Ferguson, Katene Clarke, Zak Foulkes, Kyle Jamieson, Nick Kelly, Tom Latham (wk), Jayden Lennox, Cole McConchie, Jimmy Neesham, Tim Robinson, Ben Sears, Nathan Smith.
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- 17 Mar 2026, 02:53:08 PM IST
NZ vs SA 2nd T20I LIVE Score: New Zealand win by 68 runs
NZ vs SA 2nd T20I LIVE Score: Linde did frustrate the bowlers for a while, but only for a while as Ferguson picked up the final wicket. New Zealand win by 68 runs, and have now levelled the series 1-1
- 17 Mar 2026, 02:41:04 PM IST
NZ vs SA 2nd T20I LIVE Score: Two-in-two for Ferguson!
NZ vs SA 2nd T20I LIVE Score: Debut series for Mokoena, but had to be dismissed for a golden duck by a rampant Ferguson, who now struck twice in two balls. Ruthless from New Zealand.
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- 17 Mar 2026, 02:39:30 PM IST
NZ vs SA 2nd T20I LIVE Score: Ferguson strikes!
NZ vs SA 2nd T20I LIVE Score: New Zealand seem to be in a rush to complete this match. Maharaj could only do little against that delivery from Fergsuon. He goes back for a golden duck and trouble continues for South Africa.
South Africa 92/8 in 13.2 overs
- 17 Mar 2026, 02:37:06 PM IST
NZ vs SA 2nd T20I LIVE Score: Sears strikes twice in one over
NZ vs SA 2nd T20I LIVE Score: Was a cross-seamer on a length and around the leg-stump from Sears and Forrester, got forward, went underneath, and sent it sailing into the sky. But could not get the distance as Ferguson took a skier.
Sears then dismissed Coetzee as well, on the final ball. It was an off-cutter and into the deck as the batter sent it straight to McConchie at deep midwicket
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- 17 Mar 2026, 02:26:24 PM IST
NZ vs SA 2nd T20I LIVE Score: South Africa go 5 down
NZ vs SA 2nd T20I LIVE Score: South Africa in trouble. They have now lost their fifth wicket, with Santner picking his second. Jason Smith is the latest batter to depart, going back for just 12 off 13. It was a tossed up delivery as Smith went for the sweep, but couldn't get on top of the shot and ended up to-edging it to shot fine for a catch.
South Africa 69/5 in 1 overs vs New Zealand (175/6)
- 17 Mar 2026, 02:18:25 PM IST
NZ vs SA 2nd T20I LIVE Score: Hermann out!
NZ vs SA 2nd T20I LIVE Score: Oh dear! Just when South Africa could believe…Hermann gets dismissed for just 19. He smashed the slower ball from Jamieson in the previous ball, but could not get much on the wicket delivery. It was length ball, outside off, angling away from the left-hander as the batter slashed and couldn't keep it down. Ferguson took a well-judged catch in the deep.
South Africa 59/4 in 9.4 overs vs New Zealand (175/6)
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- 17 Mar 2026, 02:10:30 PM IST
NZ vs SA 2nd T20I LIVE Score: Hermann attacks
NZ vs SA 2nd T20I LIVE Score: Despite having suffered a top-order collapse, Hermann is looking to counter-attack. He smashed Santner for a four down deep mid-wicket and then chose the same are to slot the next ball for a six.
South Africa 51/3 in 8 overs vs New Zealand (175/6)
- 17 Mar 2026, 02:03:35 PM IST
NZ vs SA 2nd T20I LIVE Score: Mulder , de Zorzi removed
NZ vs SA 2nd T20I LIVE Score: In just 10 deliveries, South Africa lost their top order. After Esterhuizen in the fifth over, South Africa lost Mulder for 16 off 20 in the next, dismissed by Mitchell Santner, and before Tony de Zorzi departed for just one run, falling to Cole McConchie.
South Africa 31/3 in 6.1 overs vs New Zealand (175/6)
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- 17 Mar 2026, 01:55:29 PM IST
NZ vs SA 2nd T20I LIVE Score: Esterhuizen gone!
NZ vs SA 2nd T20I LIVE Score: Change in attack and New Zealand get their first wicket. Ben Sears dismissed Esterhuizen, sending him back for 8 off 12. Threw his bat on the drive, and sent it straight to a well-positioned Robinson at point. Tony de Zorzi is the next batter in.
South Africa 29/1 in 4.4 overs vs New Zealand (175/6)
- 17 Mar 2026, 01:51:30 PM IST
NZ vs SA 2nd T20I LIVE Score: Esterhuizen dropped
NZ vs SA 2nd T20I LIVE Score: After Wiaan Mulder in the previous over, Esterhuizen smashed a six against Lockie Ferguson. A lofted shot, so clean, held the pose, and the ball went sailing over the fence. However, the bowler almost had the last laugh in the final ball, but dropped the catch.
South Africa 24/0 in 4 overs vs New Zealand (175/6)
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- 17 Mar 2026, 01:46:27 PM IST
NZ vs SA 2nd T20I LIVE Score: 100m SIX!
NZ vs SA 2nd T20I LIVE Score: Finally, a boundary from South Africa! Mulder came down the track against a shorter delivery from Jamieson and slotted it over deep mid-wicket. And then ended the over with a boundary. The batter just got lucky against the fuller and wider delivery as the thick inside edge beat the keeper.
South Africa 17/0 in 3 overs vs New Zealand (175/6)
- 17 Mar 2026, 01:40:29 PM IST
NZ vs SA 2nd T20I LIVE Score: Nervy start from South Africa!
NZ vs SA 2nd T20I LIVE Score: They have form. They have a few players from the T20 World Cup squad. Just a few different names.
So far, a nervy start from South Africa, scoring just five runs in the first 12 balls in the chase.
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- 17 Mar 2026, 01:30:39 PM IST
NZ vs SA 2nd T20I LIVE Score: Welcome back!
NZ vs SA 2nd T20I LIVE Score: New Zealand players are in a huddle. This should be a good chase. The two South Africa openers are out on the field as well.
- 17 Mar 2026, 01:22:20 PM IST
NZ vs SA 2nd T20I LIVE Score: Big final over!
NZ vs SA 2nd T20I LIVE Score: A big final over for New Zealand. 24 runs came off that over against Keshav Maharaj and they suddenly have a total to defend. Cole McConchie started off with a six over long-on, before Clarkson took over for a six in the third ball and then again in the fifth ball, before finishing off with a boundary.
New Zealand 175/6 in 20 overs
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- 17 Mar 2026, 01:14:25 PM IST
NZ vs SA 2nd T20I LIVE Score: Neesham out!
NZ vs SA 2nd T20I LIVE Score: Edged and gone! Neesham backed away and then looked for the drive, but the 145kmph delivery from Gerald Coetzee took a thick edge and went straight to the keeper.
New Zealand 141/6 in 18 overs
- 17 Mar 2026, 01:02:57 PM IST
NZ vs SA 2nd T20I LIVE Score: CONWAY GONE!!!
NZ vs SA 2nd T20I LIVE Score: IN THE AIR AND TAKEN!!! This is a huge wicket in the context of the game. Shortish ball and a slower delivery at the off and middle. Conway swings and gets a top edge. Esterhuizen takes the catch and that is the end of the knock for the opener.
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- 17 Mar 2026, 12:56:40 PM IST
NZ vs SA 2nd T20I LIVE Score: SANTNER FALLS!!!
NZ vs SA 2nd T20I LIVE Score: BOWLED HIM!!!! Another wicket at the right moment for South Africa. Back of a length delivery at the middle and leg. Santner tries to create room and play that towards the off side but misses. The ball clips the top of middle and leg, and that is the end of Santner's stay in the middle.
- 17 Mar 2026, 12:53:02 PM IST
NZ vs SA 2nd T20I LIVE Score: SIX!!!!
NZ vs SA 2nd T20I LIVE Score: WHAT A SHOT!!!! The skipper finds the fence. It was a shortish delivery by Linde, and Santner did not need a second invitation. He rocked back and pulled it over square leg for a maximum.
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- 17 Mar 2026, 12:50:23 PM IST
NZ vs SA 2nd T20I LIVE Score: Santner gets going
NZ vs SA 2nd T20I LIVE Score: FOUR!!! Mitchell Santner finds the boundary. He needs to stay here with Conway to ensure that the hosts reach a formidable total by the end of their 20 overs.
- 17 Mar 2026, 12:47:15 PM IST
NZ vs SA 2nd T20I LIVE Score: 100 up for New Zealand
NZ vs SA 2nd T20I LIVE Score: New Zealand have breached the 100 mark now. They have seven wickets in hand and about seven overs remaining in their innings. The hosts will look to reach around 180 at the least from here.
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- 17 Mar 2026, 12:38:43 PM IST
NZ vs SA 2nd T20I LIVE Score: BOWLED HIM!!!!
NZ vs SA 2nd T20I LIVE Score: Mulder strikes. Just at the right moment for South Africa. Nick Kelly departs, just as his partnership with Conway was starting to look dangerous.
- 17 Mar 2026, 12:35:40 PM IST
NZ vs SA 2nd T20I LIVE Score: SIX!!!!!
NZ vs SA 2nd T20I LIVE Score: IN THE AIR AND THAT SAILS AWAY!!! Conway reaches his half-century in style with a maximum. This has been a brilliant knock from the opener.
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- 17 Mar 2026, 12:30:10 PM IST
NZ vs SA 2nd T20I LIVE Score: Halfway through
NZ vs SA 2nd T20I LIVE Score: So, 10 overs are done in the first innings. New Zealand have started well here. Devon Conwayis holding the innings together. Nick Kelly have found early rhythm, but the Kiwis will want a steady partnership to convert this to a big total.
- 17 Mar 2026, 12:20:03 PM IST
NZ vs SA 2nd T20I LIVE Score: Got HIM!!!!
NZ vs SA 2nd T20I LIVE Score: BOWLED!!!!! Linde strikes now. Tim Robinson fails to provide solidity to the start the two openers provided. South Africa are making a comeback now with two quick wickets.
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- 17 Mar 2026, 12:14:38 PM IST
NZ vs SA 2nd T20I LIVE Score: WICKET!!!
NZ vs SA 2nd T20I LIVE Score: Keshav Maharaj strikes in his first over. Tom Latham departs. It was a full delivery in the middle and leg. Latham went for the reverse sweep and found the fiedler. South Africa have the breakthrough at last.
- 17 Mar 2026, 12:11:57 PM IST
NZ vs SA 2nd T20I LIVE Score: Powerplay done
NZ vs SA 2nd T20I LIVE Score: New Zealand have the game under control after the first six overs. They have 43 runs on the board and have not lost a wicket so far.
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- 17 Mar 2026, 12:10:49 PM IST
NZ vs SA 2nd T20I LIVE Score: Conway grows in confidence
NZ vs SA 2nd T20I LIVE Score: Walloped by CONWAY!!!! Short ball and the left-hander hammers a pull towards mid-wicket for another boundary. This is some start for New Zealand.
- 17 Mar 2026, 12:08:31 PM IST
NZ vs SA 2nd T20I LIVE Score: South Africa's wait stretches
NZ vs SA 2nd T20I LIVE Score: So, five overs done and still the Proteas are searching for awicket. New Zealand have got the start they wanted, now they would need to build on it and get this to a formidable total.
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- 17 Mar 2026, 12:04:02 PM IST
NZ vs SA 2nd T20I LIVE Score: FOUR!!!!
NZ vs SA 2nd T20I LIVE Score: 10 runs from the fourth over. A maximum and then a wonderful punch through the square on the off side for a boundary. New Zealand have got off to an ideal start here.
- 17 Mar 2026, 12:00:42 PM IST
NZ vs SA 2nd T20I LIVE Score: Latham finds the middle
NZ vs SA 2nd T20I LIVE Score: Now, Tom Latham finds the middle of the bat. That ball sails away for a maximum. New Zealand have got off to a brilliant start here.
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- 17 Mar 2026, 11:58:11 AM IST
NZ vs SA 2nd T20I LIVE Score: Conway finding early rhythm
NZ vs SA 2nd T20I LIVE Score: Devon Conway is batting with great freedom here. He is finding the boundaries is off to a great start. South Africa would ideally want his wicket to halt this early momentum of the home team.
- 17 Mar 2026, 11:51:17 AM IST
NZ vs SA 2nd T20I LIVE Score: Eight runs of the opening over
NZ vs SA 2nd T20I LIVE Score: Coetzee redeems himself after conceding a boundary off the opening ball. Gives away just eight runs in the entire over. Solid start for New Zealand, nonetheless.
New Zealand 8/0 in 1 over
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- 17 Mar 2026, 11:47:37 AM IST
NZ vs SA 2nd T20I LIVE Score: FOUR! What a start!
NZ vs SA 2nd T20I LIVE Score: Boundary! What a way to start the game off. Gerald Coetzee bowls a loosener and Conway has no trouble in dispatching the delivery towards the deep mid-wicket boundary.
New Zealand 4/0 in 0.1 overs.
- 17 Mar 2026, 11:46:02 AM IST
NZ vs SA 2nd T20I LIVE Score: Contest all set to begin!
NZ vs SA 2nd T20I LIVE Score: The stage is set. The two teams are out in the middle and we are about to get the contest underway. New Zealand look to bounce back while the Proteas aim to carry the momentum forward. Promises to be a riveting T20I.
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- 17 Mar 2026, 11:22:32 AM IST
NZ vs SA 2nd T20I LIVE Score: Playing XIs
NZ vs SA 2nd T20I LIVE Score: The playing XIs are here -
South Africa Playing XI: Wiaan Mulder, Connor Esterhuizen (wk), Tony de Zorzi, Rubin Hermann, Jason Smith, Dian Forrester, George Linde, Gerald Coetzee, Keshav Maharaj (c), Nqobani Mokoena, Ottneil Baartman
New Zealand Playing XI: Devon Conway, Tom Latham (wk), Tim Robinson, Nick Kelly, Mitchell Santner (c), Jimmy Neesham, Cole McConchie, Josh Clarkson, Kyle Jamieson, Ben Sears, Lockie Ferguson
- 17 Mar 2026, 11:18:29 AM IST
NZ vs SA 2nd T20I LIVE Score: Toss update
NZ vs SA 2nd T20I LIVE Score: South Africa have won the toss and they have opted to field first.
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- 17 Mar 2026, 11:04:36 AM IST
NZ vs SA 2nd T20I LIVE Score: Leaders after one game
NZ vs SA 2nd T20I LIVE Score: The series is only one match old, but South Africa have already stamped their authority on the numbers. Connor Esterhuizen is the leading run-scorer in the series with an unbeaten 45, the only innings of real control in the opener, while for New Zealand, Jimmy Neesham's 26 was the top score in an otherwise scattered effort. With the ball, Nqobani Mokoena leads the wicket charts after his 3 for 26 on debut, while Ottniel Baartman, Gerald Coetzee and Keshav Maharaj all picked up two wickets each in a collective dismantling of New Zealand's batting.
- 17 Mar 2026, 10:48:49 AM IST
NZ vs SA 2nd T20I LIVE Score: Head-to-head
NZ vs SA 2nd T20I LIVE Score: The broader rivalry favours South Afrcia. Across 21 completed T20Is including the opener of this series, the Proteas have won 13 to New Zealand's 8. Even in New Zealand, South Africa have largely held the edge, winning 4 of the 5 completed matches. Seddon Park has its own small footnote too: these sides have met here only once before in T20Is, in 2012, when South Africa chased 174 and won by 8 wickets.
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- 17 Mar 2026, 09:41:15 AM IST
NZ vs SA 2nd T20I LIVE Score: Hamilton reset
NZ vs SA 2nd T20I LIVE Score: New Zealand do not have the luxury of easing into this one. After being bowled out for 91 in the opener and slipping 0-1 behind, the hosts walk into Hamilton needing a sharper, steadier response while reading the conditions quickly. South Africa, meanwhile, have already shown that this tour is not just about giving fringe players exposure. Their young group won the first game by seven wickets, and with Hamilton expected to be more batting-friendly than Bay Oval, they now have the chance to put real pressure on the home side.