Islamabad, July 17, 2025: New Zealand’s new coach Rob Walter – previously South Africa’s white-ball coach – began his job with a win in New Zealand vs South Africa, although his old team gave a tough fight.
Chasing 174, South Africa were struggling at 111 for 7 in the 14th over. George Linde hit 30 off 20 balls and added 37 runs with Gerald Coetzee. They needed 31 from the last 18 balls, but Linde was caught off Jacob Duffy, who took two wickets in two deliveries to seal the match.
New Zealand’s 173 – their joint second-highest against South Africa – was enough on a pitch where short balls troubled batters. Three top batters fell to short deliveries, leaving them 70 for 5 in 10 overs. Tim Robinson and debutant Bevon Jacobs added 103 runs – New Zealand’s second-best sixth-wicket stand in T20Is. Their partnership included 43 runs in the last three overs and was only the eighth century stand for sixth wicket or lower in men’s T20Is.
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South Africa’s top partnership was 39 between Dewald Brevis and Linde. With Muthusamy at No.4 and all-rounders from No.7, changes in the line-up may be needed before Sunday’s game vs Zimbabwe.
New Zealand missed several key players due to the MLC final but were happy to have Matt Henry back. He took 3 for 34.
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Coetzee returned after nine months and took 1 for 39. Robinson scored freely, reaching his fifty with a six off Coetzee. Lhuan-dre Pretorius made a quick 25 but fell to Henry.
South Africa were all out for 152 and lost by 21 runs.
