New Zealand and South Africa rivalry is one of the most captivating and thrilling in modern cricket, known for high-octane drama and nail-biting finishes.
Adam Milne (2/21) and Mitchell Santner bowled well to restrict South Africa to 134-8 after 20 overs, and Seifert and Devon Conway set the Kiwis off quickly with an opening stand of 51 runs that got them started quickly in their innings in the South Africa National Cricket Team vs New Zealand National Cricket Team timeline.
| Date | Format | Venue | Result | Margin | Key Performers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 26, 2025 | T20I Final | Harare Sports Club, Zimbabwe | New Zealand won | By 3 runs | Matt Henry (2/19), Tim Seifert (66), Devon Conway (47) () |
| Jul 22, 2025 | T20I | Harare Sports Club, Zimbabwe | New Zealand won | By 7 wickets | Tim Seifert (66), Daryl Mitchell (20) (The Indian Express) |
| Jul 16, 2025 | T20I | Harare Sports Club, Zimbabwe | New Zealand won | By 21 runs | Tim Robinson (75*), Bevon Jacobs (44), Jacob Duffy (3/25), Matt Henry (3/25) (The Times of India) |
| Mar 5, 2025 | ODI Semi-final | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore | New Zealand won | By 50 runs | Rachin Ravindra (108), Kane Williamson (102), Mitchell Santner (3/43) (Reuters) |
| Feb 10, 2025 | ODI | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore | New Zealand won | By 6 wickets | Rachin Ravindra (108), Kane Williamson (102), Matt Henry (3/43) (Reuters) |
Timeline
No matter whether it is a last-over thriller in T20 cricket or an all-out battle for supremacy in Test cricket, New Zealand vs South Africa matches are always intense.
Over the years their rivalry has seen many dramatic moments and enthralled cricket fans around the globe. From nail-biting finishes to explosive controversies – this comprehensive NZ vs SA cricket timeline details both sides’ triumphs and defeats throughout this legendary rivalry.
The Black Caps were victorious over South Africa by 21 runs in their T20 tri-series opener against Zimbabwe at Harare Sports Club on Wednesday (Thursday New Zealand time).
An unbeaten century partnership between Tim Robinson and debutant Bevon Jacobs set them up for an impressive total, which they comfortably reached after Mitchell Santner batted first for South Africa. Jacob Duffy and Matt Henry claimed three wickets each to dismantle South African’s batting lineup.
South Africa were quickly reduced to 62-5 in the ninth over, as Dewald Brevis missed an opportunity to clear off leg-spinner Ish Sodhi and was run out for 14 as their top order failed to capitalize on early dominance.
However, their hosts were able to quickly recover thanks to an impressive fifty from captain Faf du Plessis, who hit seven fours and two sixes during his 67-ball innings to lead their chase successfully.
DeVilliers and Du Plessis both succumbed to injuries during an unfortunate lapse in defense, but Nqaba Peters and Kwena Maphaka managed to stem the flow of runs before South Africa edged closer towards victory with each over of play remaining.
Proteas captain Pieter Conrad used this match as a key opportunity for South Africa to show its improved form following several key player losses recently.
South Africa have only won one out of eight T20Is this year since starting under Pieter Conrad and victory over New Zealand could mark an important step towards making an impactful mark at next year’s T20 World Cup in Australia.
Reeza Hendricks should return after having been dropped prior to touring Australia. Corbin Bosch and George Linde may also play key roles.
Spinners Senuran Muthusamy and Nqaba Peter will join fast bowler Kagiso Rabada in playing roles alongside fast bowler Kagiso Rabada who could make up the Proteas side.
History
South Africa has one of the most successful national cricket teams in international cricket history. Their Proteas compete in One Day Internationals and Twenty20s and currently rank number five worldwide.
Their winning record in ODIs stands at over 60%; they won their inaugural major ICC trophy in 1998; this team produced several legendary players like AB de Villiers, Jacques Kallis, and Dale Steyn, among many others. Despite isolation caused by apartheid for two decades prior to their rise to prominence today.
South Africa and England first played their inaugural international match in 1889; it took 17 years before the Proteas won their inaugural Test match.
Following an extended period of poor form, however, during the mid to late 1960s new group of talented South African players emerged that brought new momentum.
South Africa have experienced problems in their batting department this tournament and will need to find ways to strengthen their top order in the final. They do have several outstanding bowling options with Nqaba Peter and Kwena Maphaka capable of taking wickets.
Tim Robinson’s 75 not out and debutant Bevon Jacobs’ 44 stood out during a dominant 152-run third innings partnership that set up New Zealand for victory at Harere Sports Club in Harare on Wednesday (Thursday NZ time) at Harere Sports Club. Unfortunately for South Africa, an unexpected batting collapse saw them fall short at 152-7 as Jacob Duffy and Matt Henry took three wickets between them to dismantle their Proteas batsmen.
Proteas will aim to correct their poor batting performances in the final, with Reeza Hendricks and Lungi Ngidi expected to lead their line-up. George Linde and Senuran Muthusamy may also feature. A decision will need to be made as to whether extra spinner Nqaba Peter or seamer Kwena Maphaka will join Nqaba Peter or vice versa.
Matches
Tim Seifert’s aggressive half century propelled New Zealand to an easy seven-wicket victory against South Africa in Harare’s final of the tri-series tri-series tournament.
Seifert was dropped early but quickly made 51 with Devon Conway for South Africa before poor decisions in field, particularly late dropping by captain Rassie van der Dussen allowed New Zealand to run away with the game.
Jacob Duffy and Matt Henry scored three wickets apiece as New Zealand dismantled South Africa’s batting line-up, taking out teenager Lhuan-dre Pretorius as well as Mitchell Santner cheaply before Reeza Hendricks and George Linde produced half centuries. As a result, South Africa were reduced to 152-8 after 20 overs.
New Zealand chose to bowl first on an unfavorable surface and managed to keep the run rate in check throughout. Ish Sodhi was particularly impressive, claiming two wickets off just four balls as South Africa slumped from 93-2 in the ninth over to 73-4 by resumption; Hendricks making 41 off 37 deliveries while Linde made 23 from 15.
As their innings unravelled, the Proteas lost three wickets swiftly as their innings unravelled. Sodhi took first wicket with an unfortunate run-out against captain Van der Dussen before Santner edged to third man where Seifert caught it off Nqaba Peter’s bowling.
Spinner Senuran Muthusamy then struck twice more as Rachin Ravindra and Mark Chapman fell, taking their innings total down to 163-5 after 20 overs.
On Saturday, Seifert and New Zealand bowlers’ strong performances set up a thrilling final against Zimbabwe. New Zealand won three out of their four matches to finish top of the points table and secure an encounter against South Africa, who managed two wins out of four games but still finished in second place overall due to batting struggles that saw them drop their last five one-day internationals at home.
Scorecard
Tim Seifert’s aggressive half century led New Zealand to an emphatic seven-wicket win against South Africa in their T20 tri-series match in Zimbabwe, giving the Black Caps top spot and setting up an intriguing final between Proteas and Black Caps.
NZ’s bowlers made light work of restricting Proteas batting to 134-8 in 20 overs after winning the toss, restricting George Linde and Reeza Hendricks at the top of their order to provide resistance but had no real momentum as innings progressed – they managed just one run off three overs before captain Rassie van der Dussen was run-out trying an over-ambitious shot.
Black Caps opener Seifert made an explosive start for New Zealand, hitting two sixes and four off Matt Henry’s second over of batting with three balls, before attacking him again with an attack-minded drive through cover for six before being caught at backward point off a faster delivery.
Hendricks then fell for 41 off 37 balls, caught deep by Chapman at the non-striker’s end by Chapman at deep midwicket. Lhuan-dre Pretorius followed suit for 17 runs off 11 balls before trying an uppercut off Jacob Duffy that Seifert easily took at slip.
Dewald Brevis made an early breakthrough, but only Adam Milne could bowl him. Milne sprinted from midwicket to short third man to take an incredible catch before bowling Rubin Hermann off his back foot with an explosive delivery that claimed his maiden wicket of the tournament.
Debutant Bevon Jacobs and Devon Conway each scored nine off seven to help the Black Caps recover from an early setback, while Seifert added an unbeaten 66 from 48 balls, including three sixes and two fours – which together formed an unbroken fourth wicket partnership of 104 runs with Jacobs reaching his highest international T20 score yet of 51 runs in just five overs! New Zealand won this match by 21 runs.
