The fifth and final T20I between New Zealand and South Africa at the Hagley Oval is more than just a dead rubber. While the White Ferns have already clinched the series 3-1, this match represents a final chance for the Proteas to find their footing before the ODIs, and for the hosts to polish what has been a clinical performance so far.
New Zealand has looked the part of a side playing with home-ground confidence, particularly in the fourth game where they pulled off a record-breaking chase. Sophie Devine, playing her 150th T20I, turned back the clock with a vintage 64 to hunt down South Africa’s 159.
For the Proteas, it’s been a series of almosts. They put up a much better fight in that last outing, fueled by Annerie Dercksen’s fiery 55* off just 32 balls, but their bowling unit couldn’t quite put the squeeze on the Kiwis when it mattered most. Aside from their lone win in the second match at Seddon Park—where Kayla Reyneke’s late-inning heroics stole the show—South Africa has struggled to maintain the pressure needed to topple a deep New Zealand lineup.
Squads:
New Zealand Women’s Cricket Team
Amelia Kerr, Suzie Bates, Sophie Devine, Isabella Gaze, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Bree Illing, Polly Inglis, Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Nensi Patel, Georgia Plimmer, Izzy Sharp
South Africa Women’s Cricket Team
Dane Van Niekerk, Chloe Tryon, Masabata Klaas, Ayabonga Khaka, Sune Luus, Laura Wolvaardt, Sinalo Jafta, Nadine De Klerk, Tazmin Brits, Tumi Sekhukhune, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Annerie Dercksen, Ayanda Hlubi, Karabo Meso, Kayla Reyneke
Players to watch out:
Sophie Devine
Sophie Devine has been a powerhouse throughout this series, proving exactly why she’s considered one of the best all-rounders in the game. She has hammered 156 runs at a brisk strike rate of 156.00, including two half-centuries, while also making a massive impact with the ball by taking 7 wickets. Her standout 4/12 bowling performance shows she can dismantle a lineup just as easily as she can outpower it with the bat.
Kayla Reyneke
Kayla Reyneke has been the definition of tough to get out during this tour, remaining unbeaten in three of her four innings. While her total of 99 runs might seem modest, her strike rate of 180.00 is absolutely lethal, especially since she’s cleared the ropes seven times—the most of anyone on this list. She’s playing the finisher role to perfection, consistently finding boundaries when South Africa needs them most.
Jess Kerr
Leading the wicket-taking charts, Jess Kerr has been the most consistent threat for the New Zealand bowling attack. Over 16 overs, she has managed to claim 8 wickets with a very respectable economy of 5.81, showing her ability to keep things tight while still hunting for breakthroughs. Her best figures of 3/16 highlight her knack for picking up crucial wickets at the right moments to stall the opposition’s momentum.
Nonkululeko Mlaba
Nonkululeko Mlaba has shouldered a heavy workload for the South African bowling unit, matching the volume of overs bowled by the leaders. She has picked up 6 wickets across the four matches, with a solid 3/27 being her best individual performance of the series so far. Even when the New Zealand batters are looking to accelerate, she remains a vital tactical asset for her captain in the middle overs.
Pitch:
The surface at Hagley Oval is traditionally a balanced deck with a reputation for assisting seamers early on. Recent matches show that while the new ball tends to swing and seam, the pitch typically flattens out, allowing stroke-makers to score freely once they adapt to the true bounce.
Weather:
Christchurch is currently sunny with a temperature of 17°C and a humidity level of 81%. On match day, the high will reach 20°C with a low of 12°C, under conditions that will shift from sunny to partly cloudy by nightfall.
Fantasy Playing XI:
Amelia Kerr, Suzie Bates, Sophie Devine, Jess Kerr, Georgia Plimmer, Izzy Sharp, Dane Van Niekerk, Ayabonga Khaka, Laura Wolvaardt, Annerie Dercksen, Kayla Reyneke
Match Details:
Date – March 25, 2026
Time – 7:15 AM
Venue – Hagley Oval, Christchurch
Broadcast – The game will be live-streamed on the FanCode app and website.
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