South Africa vs New Zealand Score, 1st T20I of South Africa in New Zealand 2026

SIX! Kyle Jamieson to Connor Esterhuizen. Leg cutter back of a length, outside off stump on the back foot Slog, well timed in the air under control over deep backward square leg for 6 runs. South Africa win the match comfortably with a clinical performance. The Proteas began the chase cautiously and did lose a couple of early wickets, but they remained in control of the target. Connor Esterhuizen anchored the innings brilliantly, guiding his team safely to victory. New Zealand's bowlers tried to keep things tight and applied pressure at times. Mitchell Santner, in particular, delivered an outstanding spell with excellent economy, but it wasn't enough to defend the modest total. Nqobani Mokoena is the Player of the Match.

Kyle Jamieson to Connor Esterhuizen. Off cutter length ball, outside off stump on the front foot cutting, Played to deep point for 2 runs, fielded by Conway.

FREE HIT. Kyle Jamieson to Connor Esterhuizen. Length ball, outside off stump on the front foot Slog, mis-timed in the air uncontrolled to long on for 2 runs, mis-fielded by Jacobs.

No ball Kyle Jamieson to Connor Esterhuizen. Beamer, outside off stump swayed away Leave, Left and it was a no ball, fielded by Latham.

Kyle Jamieson to Dian Forrester. Length ball, down leg side on the back foot Steer, Played to third man for 1 run, mis-fielded by McConchie, fielded by Sears.

Ben Sears to Connor Esterhuizen. Reverse Swing-Out half volley, wide outside off stump on the front foot driving, missed for no runs, fielded by Latham.

Ben Sears to Dian Forrester. Off cutter length ball, to leg on the back foot pushing, Played to deep backward point for 1 run, fielded by Conway.

Wide Ben Sears to Dian Forrester. Off cutter short, wide down leg side on the back foot pulling, missed for 1 run, fielded by Latham.

FOUR! Ben Sears to Dian Forrester. Length ball, off stump on the front foot driving, well timed in the air under control past deep cover for 4 runs.

Ben Sears to Dian Forrester. Length ball, down leg side on the back foot pushing, Played to backward point for no runs, fielded by McConchie.

Ben Sears to Dian Forrester. Length ball, to leg on the front foot driving, Played to silly mid off for no runs, mis-fielded by Santner.

Ben Sears to Connor Esterhuizen. Length ball, outside off stump on the back foot working, Played to mid on for 1 run, by Kelly.

Cole McConchie to Dian Forrester. Off break length ball, outside off stump on the front foot driving, Played to short extra cover for no runs, fielded by Santner.

Cole McConchie to Connor Esterhuizen. Off break length ball, outside off stump on the back foot working, Played to long on for 1 run, fielded by Jacobs.

Cole McConchie to Connor Esterhuizen. Off break length ball, outside off stump down the track driving, Played to mid off for no runs, fielded by Kelly.

Cole McConchie to Connor Esterhuizen. Off break length ball, middle stump on the back foot working, Played to leg gully for no runs, fielded by Foulkes.

Cole McConchie to Dian Forrester. Off break half volley, middle stump on the front foot driving, Played to long off for 1 run, fielded by Jacobs.

Cole McConchie to Dian Forrester. Off break length ball, outside off stump on the front foot pushing, Played to gully for no runs, fielded by Sears.

Mitchell Santner to Connor Esterhuizen. Stock length ball, outside off stump on the front foot defending, Played to short leg for no runs, fielded by Latham.

Mitchell Santner to Dian Forrester. Stock length ball, outside off stump on the back foot working, Played in the air under control to deep mid wicket for 1 run, fielded by Sears.

Mitchell Santner to Dian Forrester. Stock length ball, down leg side on the front foot reverse sweeping, mis-timed to short leg for no runs, fielded by Latham.

Mitchell Santner to Dian Forrester. Stock length ball, off stump on the front foot reverse sweeping, mis-timed to third slip for no runs, fielded by Neesham.

APPEAL! Mitchell Santner to Dian Forrester. Stock length ball, middle stump on the front foot defending, hit pad to first slip for no runs, fielded by Neesham, appeal made for Caught. New Zealand burns the review.

Mitchell Santner to Dian Forrester. Stock length ball, middle stump on the back foot working, mis-timed in the air uncontrolled to short leg for no runs, dropped catch by Robinson.

Cole McConchie to Connor Esterhuizen. Off break half volley, wide outside off stump on the front foot driving, Played to deep cover for 2 runs, fielded by Conway.

Cole McConchie to Dian Forrester. Off break length ball, outside off stump on the back foot cutting, Played to deep backward point for 1 run, fielded by Robinson.

Cole McConchie to Connor Esterhuizen. Off break length ball, middle stump on the back foot working, Played to deep backward square leg for 1 run, fielded by Sears.

Cole McConchie to Dian Forrester. Off break length ball, outside off stump on the front foot driving, Played to deep cover for 1 run, mis-fielded by Robinson.

Cole McConchie to Connor Esterhuizen. Off break length ball, outside off stump on the front foot defending, inside edge to square leg for 1 run, fielded by Kelly.

Cole McConchie to Dian Forrester. Off break half volley, middle stump on the front foot driving, Played to long off for 1 run, fielded by Jacobs.