The fifth and final T20I of South Africa’s tour of New Zealand, at Christchurch’s Hagley Oval, is far from a mere formality. While New Zealand has already secured the series with a 3-1 lead, this match is a vital chance for South Africa to build some momentum before the ODIs begin. The White Ferns have been clinical on home soil, most notably in the fourth game where Sophie Devine’s vintage 64 steered them through a record-breaking chase. The Proteas, meanwhile, have been a side of almosts. Despite a lone, gritty win at Seddon Park thanks to Kayla Reyneke’s late-over heroics, they’ve struggled to close out games. Even Annerie Dercksen’s fiery 55* in the last outing wasn’t quite enough to stop a New Zealand side that seems to find a new hero every time they take the field.
Head-to-Head (T20Is):
- Total Matches Played – 21
- New Zealand Wins – 15
- South Africa Wins – 5
- N/R – 1
Historically, New Zealand has held a firm grip on this fixture, winning 15 of the 21 T20Is played between the two sides. While the Proteas’ five victories suggest they have a mountain to climb to balance the scales, the raw numbers don’t quite capture how much more competitive these encounters have become lately. For South Africa, this game isn’t just about a consolation win to end the series; it’s a chance to prove they can consistently crack the clinical efficiency that has defined the White Ferns’ dominance over the years.
Squads:
New Zealand Women’s Cricket Team
Amelia Kerr (C), Suzie Bates, Sophie Devine, Flora Devonshire, Isabella Gaze, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Bree Illing, Polly Inglis, Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Nensi Patel, Georgia Plimmer, Izzy Sharp, Lea Tahuhu
South Africa Women’s Cricket Team
Nadine de Klerk, Tazmin Brits, Tumi Sekhukhune, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Annerie Dercksen, Ayanda Hlubi, Karabo Meso, Kayla Reyneke, Dane van Niekerk, Chloe Tryon, Masabata Klaas, Ayabonga Khaka, Sune Luus, Laura Wolvaardt, Sinalo Jafta
Where to Watch: New Zealand Women vs South Africa Women – 5th T20I
Date: March 25, 2026
Time: 7:15 AM IST
Venue: Hagley Oval, Christchurch, New Zealand
Broadcast & Live Streaming Details:
India – FanCode, Sony Sports TEN Network
New Zealand – Sky Go app, Sky Sports Now
South Africa – SuperSport
Fixtures:
1st T20I – March 15: Bay Oval – New Zealand won by 80 runs
2nd T20I – March 17: Seddon Park – South Africa won by 18 runs
3rd T20I – March 20: Eden Park – New Zealand won by 6 wickets
4th T20I – March 22: Sky Stadium – New Zealand won by 6 wickets
5th T20I – March 25: Hagley Oval – 7:15 AM IST
1st ODI – March 29: Hagley Oval – 3:30 AM IST
2nd ODI – April 1: Basin Reserve – 6:30 AM IST
3rd ODI – April 4: Basin Reserve – 6:30 AM IST
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