Updated on: Mar 17, 2026 3:26:19 PM IST
New Zealand vs South Africa 2nd T20I Live Score
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. 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.
…Read More
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.
Follow all the updates here:
Mar 17, 2026 2:53:08 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
Mar 17, 2026 2:41:04 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.
Mar 17, 2026 2:39:30 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
Mar 17, 2026 2:37:06 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
Mar 17, 2026 2:26:24 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)
Mar 17, 2026 2:18:25 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)
Mar 17, 2026 2:10:30 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)
Mar 17, 2026 2:03:35 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)
Mar 17, 2026 1:55:29 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)
Mar 17, 2026 1:51:30 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)
