NZ vs SA Highlights, 3rd T20I: New Zealand crush South Africa by 8 wickets, lead series 2-1
THE TIMES OF INDIA | Mar 20, 2026, 15:11:27 IST
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NZ vs SA Highlights, 3rd T20I: New Zealand crush South Africa by 8 wickets, lead series 2-1

New Zealand vs South Africa Live Score, 3rd T20I: A clinical bowling performance helped New Zealand restrict South Africa to a below-par total, despite a late cameo from Mokeana.

After being sent in to bat, South Africa never quite found their rhythm, with wickets falling at regular intervals and partnerships proving hard to come by.

Interestingly, a 10th-wicket stand of 24 runs turned out to be the second-highest partnership of the innings, underlining their struggles. Mokeana’s unbeaten 26 was the top score, as seven batters reached double figures without converting their starts.

New Zealand were sharp in all departments, combining disciplined bowling with outstanding ground fielding and catching.

At the innings break, Lockie Ferguson acknowledged the tricky nature of the drop-in surface, noting the extra pace and bounce that made strokeplay difficult early on. He also stressed the importance of adapting to varying conditions, a key focus for the side.

With a modest target ahead and conditions expected to ease slightly for batting, New Zealand will back themselves to chase it down and move 2-1 ahead in the series.
13:01 (IST) Mar 20
Score after 16 overs 112 - 8
Runs Scored: 0
001011
  • Keshav Maharaj 3 (6)
  • Nqobani Mokoena 7 (3)
Lockie Ferguson3-0-8-1
1
Overs15.6
Score112 - 8

Lockie Ferguson to Keshav Maharaj, Touch fuller, slanting on middle. Keshav Maharaj works it through mid on for a single to end the over.

13:00 (IST) Mar 20
1
Overs15.5
Score111 - 8

Lockie Ferguson to Nqobani Mokoena, A slower length delivery, outside off. Nqobani Mokoena drops it to the right of point for a quick single. The fielder picks up and shoots at the bowler's end but misses. A single.

13:00 (IST) Mar 20
0
Overs15.4
Score110 - 8

Lockie Ferguson to Nqobani Mokoena, A proper bouncer, outside off, gets big on the batter. Nqobani Mokoena tries to pull it away but misses.

12:59 (IST) Mar 20
1
Overs15.3
Score110 - 8

Lockie Ferguson to Keshav Maharaj, On a good length and just around off. Keshav strokes it through covers for a single.

12:58 (IST) Mar 20
0
Overs15.2
Score109 - 8

Lockie Ferguson to Keshav Maharaj, That could have gone anywhere. A skiddy length delivery on middle, bounces a bit. Keshav Maharaj tries to swipe it near his waist but gets a leading edge. It bounces well in front of Lockie. 

12:58 (IST) Mar 20
0
Overs15.1
Score109 - 8

Lockie Ferguson to Keshav Maharaj, Lockie Ferguson pushes it full and outside off. Keshav Maharaj looks to drive it away but misses.

12:57 (IST) Mar 20
Score after 15 overs 109 - 8
Runs Scored: 0
40(W)010(W)6
  • Nqobani Mokoena 6 (1)
  • Keshav Maharaj 1 (2)
Kyle Jamieson3-0-32-2
6
Overs14.6
Score109 - 8

Kyle Jamieson to Nqobani Mokoena, SIX! Oh, wow! That's out of nowhere. Back of a length, around off, lands in the hitting zone. Nqobani Mokoena uses the angle and heaves it over square leg for a six. 

12:56 (IST) Mar 20

Two wickets in the over for Kyle Jamieson. Nqobani Mokoena is the new batter.

12:55 (IST) Mar 20
W
Overs14.5
Score103 - 8

Kyle Jamieson to Gerald Coetzee, OUT! GONE! Wonderful from Latham once again. A scrambled seam delivery, into the surface and on off. Coetzee tries to guide it away, but the ball gets too close towards his body. He edges it in front of the keeper, Tom Latham, who dives forward and to his right to gobble it up. New Zealand back on top with this over.

12:54 (IST) Mar 20
1
Overs14.4
Score103 - 7

Kyle Jamieson to Keshav Maharaj, On a good length and angling around off. Keshav Maharaj uses the pace and rides it to third man for a single.

12:54 (IST) Mar 20
0
Overs14.3
Score102 - 7

Kyle Jamieson to Keshav Maharaj, Back of a length and on top of off. Keshav Maharaj taps it to point.

12:53 (IST) Mar 20

New Zealand hit back just as the runs were beginning to flow. The skipper of South Africa, Keshav Maharaj comes out to bat.

12:52 (IST) Mar 20
W
Overs14.2
Score102 - 7

Kyle Jamieson to George Linde, OUT! EDGED AND GONE! Oh, just when South Africa were getting a bit of momentum into their innings, they lose a wicket. Kyle Jamieson bowls across a hard-length delivery, probably the slower ball as it comes late towards the batter, too wide. Linde goes back to cut but outside edges it to the left of the keeper. Tom Latham takes an excellent catch diving across. A good hand by George Linde, though.

12:51 (IST) Mar 20
4
Overs14.1
Score102 - 6

Kyle Jamieson to George Linde, FOUR! Runs are coming thick and fast. Kyle Jamieson bowls it slightly short, around off. Linde pulls near his eyeline but gets a top edge, well over Ben Sears at short fine leg for a boundary. 100 is up for South Africa.

12:51 (IST) Mar 20

Kyle Jamieson is back. 2-0-21-0 so far for Jamieson.

12:50 (IST) Mar 20
Score after 14 overs 98 - 6
Runs Scored: 0
204104
  • Gerald Coetzee 16 (7)
  • George Linde 19 (17)
James Neesham3-0-22-1
4
Overs13.6
Score98 - 6

James Neesham to Gerald Coetzee, FOUR! Excellent shot. Touch fuller, around off. Coetzee comes down the track and hammers it over extra cover, in the vacant area for a boundary. 11 runs off the over. 23 runs off the last two.

12:49 (IST) Mar 20
0
Overs13.5
Score94 - 6

James Neesham to Gerald Coetzee, Bangs it short, over the batter. Coetzee ducks under it.

12:49 (IST) Mar 20
1
Overs13.4
Score94 - 6

James Neesham to George Linde, A length delivery at 108 clicks, around off. Linde stays back and inside edges his flick to the leg side for a run.

12:48 (IST) Mar 20
4
Overs13.3
Score93 - 6

James Neesham to George Linde, FOUR! Streaky but it all counts. James Neesham bowls into the surface, touch short and around off. Linde gets caught on the back foot as he tries to cut. Gets a thick outside edge which flies to the third man fence.

12:47 (IST) Mar 20
0
Overs13.2
Score89 - 6

James Neesham to George Linde, A half-volley, around off, it was there to be hit. Linde drives well but straight to the man at mid off.

12:46 (IST) Mar 20
2
Overs13.1
Score89 - 6

James Neesham to George Linde, Hard length delivery, angling in around off. Linde carves it away to deep point for a couple of runs.

12:45 (IST) Mar 20
Score after 13 overs 87 - 6
Runs Scored: 0
046101
  • George Linde 12 (13)
  • Gerald Coetzee 12 (5)
Mitchell Santner3-0-21-2
1
Overs12.6
Score87 - 6

Mitchell Santner to George Linde, 12 runs off the over. Just what South Africa needed at this point. Santner surprises with a yorker-length delivery, drifting on leg. Linde falls over as he squeezes it out to long on. A single.

12:45 (IST) Mar 20
0
Overs12.5
Score86 - 6

Mitchell Santner to George Linde, Angles a length ball across the batter, outside off. Linde punches it to cover.

12:44 (IST) Mar 20
1
Overs12.4
Score86 - 6

Mitchell Santner to Gerald Coetzee, Touch too full and around off. Coetzee drives it down to long off for a single.

12:43 (IST) Mar 20
6
Overs12.3
Score85 - 6

Mitchell Santner to Gerald Coetzee, FLAT SIX! Superb shot from Coetzee! Not that short, this is around off. Coetzee clears his front leg and slaps it over long on and it goes over the fence.

12:43 (IST) Mar 20
4
Overs12.2
Score79 - 6

Mitchell Santner to Gerald Coetzee, FOUR! Well played! The arm ball, fuller and landing on middle. Coetzee reverse laps it well past Kyle Jamieson at short third man for a boundary.

12:43 (IST) Mar 20
0
Overs12.1
Score75 - 6

Mitchell Santner to Gerald Coetzee, Dot! Tossed up, outside off and slower in the air. Coetzee leaves it alone.

12:41 (IST) Mar 20
Score after 12 overs 75 - 6
Runs Scored: 0
0(W)10006
  • George Linde 11 (11)
  • Gerald Coetzee 1 (1)
James Neesham2-0-11-1
6
Overs11.6
Score75 - 6

James Neesham to George Linde, SIX! Valiant effort from the fielder, though! Hard length, outside off, George Linde tries to slap it but gets a top edge. The ball flies towards third man. Ben Sears runs to his right and leaps to take the catch but ends up parrying it over the fence.

12:41 (IST) Mar 20
0
Overs11.5
Score69 - 6

James Neesham to George Linde, Beaten for the third time now. Short and wide, George Linde swings hard but misses again.

12:40 (IST) Mar 20
0
Overs11.4
Score69 - 6

James Neesham to George Linde, Nagging length, outside off, George Linde has a fiddle but misses again.

12:39 (IST) Mar 20
0
Overs11.3
Score69 - 6

James Neesham to George Linde, Beaten! A touch fuller, just outside off, George Linde looks to play at it but gets beaten.

12:39 (IST) Mar 20
1
Overs11.2
Score69 - 6

James Neesham to Gerald Coetzee, Just short! Back of a length, outside off, Gerald Coetzee looks to slap it but gets a top edge. The ball flies towards third man, where Kyle Jamieson runs in but loses the ball for a moment in the lights and ends up collecting the ball on the bounce. The batters collect a single.

12:38 (IST) Mar 20

The 22-run stand has been broken. Gerald Coetzee makes his way out to the centre.

12:37 (IST) Mar 20
W
Overs11.1
Score68 - 6

James Neesham to Dian Forrester, OUT! TAKEN! Wicket number six falls, and James Neesham strikes on his return to the attack. Hard length, outside off, Dian Forrester stays in his crease and goes hard at it. The ball goes quickly towards Tim Robinson at backward point, who leaps and takes a sharp catch to his left. South Africa are 68/6 after 11.1 overs.

12:36 (IST) Mar 20
Score after 11 overs 68 - 5
Runs Scored: 0
121101
  • Dian Forrester 17 (14)
  • George Linde 5 (7)
Ben Sears2-0-15-1
1
Overs10.6
Score68 - 5

Ben Sears to Dian Forrester, Back of a length, on leg, Dian Forrester tugs it to square leg for a run.

12:35 (IST) Mar 20
0
Overs10.5
Score67 - 5

Ben Sears to Dian Forrester, Slower one, outside off, Dian Forrester has a fiddle but gets beaten due to the lack of pace.

12:35 (IST) Mar 20
1
Overs10.4
Score67 - 5

Ben Sears to George Linde, Length, outside off, George Linde eases it to backward point. The misfield allows the batters to collect a single.

12:34 (IST) Mar 20
1
Overs10.3
Score66 - 5

Ben Sears to Dian Forrester, Good length, outside off, Dian Forrester guides it to third man. The fielder makes a good stop to his left near the fence. Keeps it to a single.

12:34 (IST) Mar 20
2
Overs10.2
Score65 - 5

Ben Sears to Dian Forrester, A slower bouncer, Dian Forrester tugs it wide of mid on for a brace. Good running between the wickets.

12:33 (IST) Mar 20
1
Overs10.1
Score63 - 5

Ben Sears to George Linde, A touch fuller, just outside off, George Linde drives it to cover for a single.

12:31 (IST) Mar 20

DRINKS BREAK! Halfway through, New Zealand find themselves in the ascendancy. First, the pacers troubled the batters with pace and bounce, and now the spinners have found grip and turn when bowling slower through the air. Can South Africa turn it around in the second half with contributions from the lower order and push towards a competitive total, or will New Zealand tighten their grip further? Ben Sears (1-0-9-1) to bowl after the break.

12:30 (IST) Mar 20
Score after 10 overs 62 - 5
Runs Scored: 0
1001(1WD)406
  • Dian Forrester 13 (10)
  • George Linde 3 (5)
Cole McConchie2-0-14-1
6
Overs9.6
Score62 - 5

Cole McConchie to Dian Forrester, SIX! That's a wonderful shot! Short ball, just outside off, Dian Forrester goes deep in his crease and flat bats it down the ground for a biggie. South Africa are 62/5 at the halfway stage of the first innings.

12:30 (IST) Mar 20
0
Overs9.5
Score56 - 5

Cole McConchie to Dian Forrester, Short and wide, Dian Forrester slaps it to the point fielder.

12:29 (IST) Mar 20
4
Overs9.4
Score56 - 5

Cole McConchie to Dian Forrester, FOUR! That will ease some pressure. Full, on middle, Dian Forrester stays in his crease and drills it powerfully down the ground for a boundary.

12:29 (IST) Mar 20
1wd
Overs9.4
Score52 - 5

Cole McConchie to Dian Forrester, Wide! Width, way outside off, Dian Forrester leaves. Wided.

12:29 (IST) Mar 20
0
Overs9.3
Score51 - 5

Cole McConchie to Dian Forrester, Nice and full, outside off, Dian Forrester drives it to the cover fielder. Another dot ball.

12:29 (IST) Mar 20
0
Overs9.2
Score51 - 5

Cole McConchie to Dian Forrester, Flatter, on off, Dian Forrester taps it to the point fielder.

12:28 (IST) Mar 20
1
Overs9.1
Score51 - 5

Cole McConchie to George Linde, Quicker, shorter, and outside off. George Linde slaps it through mid off for a single.

12:27 (IST) Mar 20
Score after 9 overs 50 - 5
Runs Scored: 0
101101
  • George Linde 2 (4)
  • Dian Forrester 3 (5)
James Neesham1-0-4-0
1
Overs8.6
Score50 - 5

James Neesham to George Linde, Slightly shorter, on off, George Linde pushes it to short cover for a quick single. The fielder has a shy at the bowler's end but misses. Fifty comes up for South Africa.

12:26 (IST) Mar 20
0
Overs8.5
Score49 - 5

James Neesham to George Linde, Hard length, just outside off, George Linde pushes it to the mid off fielder.

74 More Updates
New Zealand vs South Africa Live Score, 3rd T20I: New Zealand will be pleased with their bowling effort after restricting South Africa to an underwhelming total despite a late flourish from Mokeana.

Put in to bat, South Africa struggled for momentum from the outset, losing wickets at regular intervals and failing to build meaningful partnerships. A late 10th-wicket stand of 24 runs pushed them past the 130-mark, with Mokeana’s unbeaten 26 — the highest individual score of the innings — offering some resistance.

New Zealand’s disciplined bowling was backed by sharp fielding and excellent catching throughout the innings.

Speaking at the break, Lockie Ferguson highlighted the challenging nature of the surface but praised his team’s adaptability and execution. With conditions still offering some assistance to bowlers early on, New Zealand will be confident of chasing down the target and taking a 2-1 lead in the series.