South Africa turned their batting fortunes around after winning the toss and choosing to bat, posting 177‑5 against New Zealand in the second T20I at Seddon Park in Hamilton.
A blistering opening stand of 62 off 43 balls between Sune Luus and Tazmin Brits set the tone for a far brighter start than the effort over the weekend. Luus was the first to go, trapped leg-before after a hopeful review, becoming Amelia Kerr’s 100th T20I wicket.
Brits, though, continued to press on. Joined by captain Laura Wolvaardt, the pair added another 48 off 31, with Brits raising a well‑deserved half‑century before top‑edging off Kerr. At 110/1, South Africa looked poised for something substantial.
The White Ferns clawed their way back through the middle overs, tightening their lines and forcing the Proteas into a period of hesitation. Annerie Dercksen, Chloe Tryon and Nadine de Klerk all fell without reaching double figures, and for a moment the innings threatened to mirror the slide in Mount Maunganui. South Africa managed 80/4 in the middle overs, the only phase where New Zealand held control.
Enter Kayla Reyneke.
The 20‑year‑old produced a breathtaking late assault, transforming the innings in the space of a handful of deliveries. After Jess Kerr’s high full toss was dispatched for a no‑ball four, Reyneke launched into Sophie Devine in the final over, hammering three consecutive sixes — one over deep midwicket, one over long‑off, and another clubbed cleanly into the night sky. Her unbeaten 28 off just 9 balls shifted the entire complexion of the innings and ensured South Africa finished with a flourish. She and Wolvaardt added 34 off 14 balls, the fastest stand of the innings.
Wolvaardt anchored superbly at the other end, closing on 41 off 33 with 91 per cent control, her calm presence allowing Reyneke the freedom to swing hard at the death. South Africa’s innings ultimately featured 16 fours and 7 sixes, with 106 runs coming in boundaries and a final‑overs surge worth 54/1 at 10.8 runs per over.
South Africa’s total of 177 is their strongest effort of the series and gives them a genuine platform to level the contest. The surface has offered true bounce and value for timing, but New Zealand’s top order can be formidable. Early wickets will be crucial if the Proteas are to defend a total that is competitive, but far from unassailable.
NEW ZEALAND: Georgia Plimmer, Isabella Gaze (wk), Amelia Kerr (capt), Sophie Devine, Brooke Halliday, Maddy Green, Izzy Sharp, Suzie Bates, Jesus Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Bree Illing
SOUTH AFRICA: Tazmin Brits, Sune Luus, Laura Wolvaardt (capt), Annerie Dercksen, Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Kayla Reyneke, Sinolo Jafta (wk), Masabata Klaas, Ayabonga Khaka, Nonkululeko Mlaba